(1858–1942), German-born American anthropologist. A pioneer of modern anthropology, he developed the linguistic and cultural components of ethnology. He did much to overturn the theory that Nordic peoples constitute an essentially superior race; his writings were burnt by the Nazis.
Definition of Boas, Franz in US English:
Boas, Franz
proper nounˈbōˌaz
(1858–1942), US anthropologist; born in Germany. A pioneer of modern anthropology, he developed the linguistic and cultural components of ethnology. His most notable work was Race, Language, and Culture (1940).