A scholar who studies the cultures, origins, characteristics, and histories of different ethnic groups.
From ethnology + -ist (Greek suffix for one who practices or specializes in). The term became standard in English during the 19th century as the discipline formalized.
Famous ethnologists like Franz Boas revolutionized the field by arguing that ALL cultures are equally valid and complex—not 'primitive' or 'advanced'—essentially inventing modern cultural anthropology.
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