so|cial

so|cial «SOH shuhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. concerned with human beings in their relations to each other: »

social justice. The social state is…so natural, so necessary, and so habitual to man (John Stuart Mill).

2. of or dealing with the living conditions, health, or other aspects of the lives of human beings: »

social problems, social work.

3. living or liking to live with others: »

Humans are social beings.

4. for companionship or friendliness; having to do with companionship or friendliness: »

a social engagement. Ten of us girls have formed a social club.

5. liking company: »

a social nature; ... his own friendly and social disposition (Jane Austen).

6. connected with fashionable society: »

The mayor's wife is the social leader in our town.

7. a) living together in organized communities. Ants and bees are social insects. b) growing in patches or clumps: »

social plants.

8. = socialistic. (Cf. ↑socialistic)

–n.

a social gathering or party: »

a church social.

╂[< Latin sociālis < socius companion; (originally, adjective) mutual, sharing in, related to sequī to follow]

–so´cial|ness, noun.

Synonym Study adjective. 4, 5 Social, sociable mean friendly or companionable. In this sense, social is now rarely applied to persons and, when it is, suggests fondness for group association rather than personal friendliness: »

A man may be social but not at all sociable.

Sociable, the term usually ascribed to persons, means liking company and being inclined to seek and enjoy companionship and friendly relations: »

He is a likable, sociable person.