bertillon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “bertillon” mean?
A system of anthropometric measurements used for identifying individuals, especially criminals, by recording precise body dimensions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of anthropometric measurements used for identifying individuals, especially criminals, by recording precise body dimensions.
Any systematic method of identification based on physical measurements; historically refers to the specific criminal identification system developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Historical, outdated, associated with early forensic science.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, appearing mainly in historical or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bertillon” in a Sentence
The Bertillon system was used to identify suspects.Police adopted Bertillon for criminal records.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bertillon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The suspect was bertilloned upon arrest.
- They bertillon all new inmates.
American English
- The prisoner was bertilloned at the station.
- They bertillon arrestees for records.
adjective
British English
- The bertillon measurements were recorded.
- A bertillon card was filed.
American English
- The bertillon data was entered.
- A bertillon record was created.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical studies of criminology, forensic science history, and police studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in historical technical discussions of identification methods in forensic science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bertillon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bertillon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bertillon”
- Misspelling as 'Bertillion' or 'Bertilon'
- Using it to refer to modern identification methods.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was developed by French police officer and biometrics researcher Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century.
No, it is historically significant but obsolete, having been replaced by fingerprinting and later DNA analysis.
It recorded precise anthropometric data such as head length and breadth, finger lengths, foot size, and other body dimensions.
It was less reliable than fingerprinting, more time-consuming, and subject to measurement errors and changes in body dimensions over time.
A system of anthropometric measurements used for identifying individuals, especially criminals, by recording precise body dimensions.
Bertillon is usually technical/historical in register.
Bertillon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːtɪlɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːrtɪlɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As precise as Bertillon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BERT' the detective took 'ILLON' measurements to catch criminals.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTIFICATION IS MEASUREMENT
Practice
Quiz
What primarily replaced the Bertillon system?