\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.