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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)