Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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.
2. Ready or disposed to mix in friendly converse;
companionable; sociable; as, a social person.
3. Consisting in union or mutual intercourse.
Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not Social
communication. --Milton.
4. (Bot.) Naturally growing in groups or masses; -- said of
many individual plants of the same species.
5. (Zo["o]l.)
(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.
{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} (Zo["o]l.), the blackfish.
{The social evil}, prostitution.
Syn: Sociable; companionable; conversible; friendly;
familiar; communicative; convival; festive.