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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Social \So"cial\, a. [L. socialis, from socius a companion; akin
to sequi to follow: cf. F. social. See {Sue} to follow.]
1. Of or pertaining to society; relating to men living in
society, or to the public as an aggregate body; as, social
interest or concerns; social pleasure; social benefits;
social happiness; social duties. "Social phenomena." --J.
S. Mill.
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2. Ready or disposed to mix in friendly converse;
companionable; sociable; as, a social person.
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3. Consisting in union or mutual intercourse.
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Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not
Social communication. --Milton.
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4. (Bot.) Naturally growing in groups or masses; -- said of
many individual plants of the same species.
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5. (Zool.)
(a) Living in communities consisting of males, females,
and neuters, as do ants and most bees.
(b) Forming compound groups or colonies by budding from
basal processes or stolons; as, the social ascidians.
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{Social science}, the science of all that relates to the
social condition, the relations and institutions which are
involved in man's existence and his well-being as a member
of an organized community; sociology. It concerns itself
with questions of the public health, education, labor,
punishment of crime, reformation of criminals, and the
like.

{Social whale} (Zool.), the blackfish.

{The social evil}, prostitution.
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Syn: Sociable; companionable; conversible; friendly;
familiar; communicative; convival; festive.
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