What is "sinology"

Sinology \Si*nol"o*gy\, n. [Cf. F. sinologie.] That branch of systemized knowledge which treats of the Chinese, their language, literature, etc.

n. (cx humanities English) The study of the history, language and culture of China

Sinology is the academic study of China primarily through Chinese language, literature, and history, and often refers to Western scholarship. Its origin "may be traced to the examination which Chinese scholars made of their own civilization."

The field of sinology was historically seen to be equivalent to the application of philology to China, and until the 20th century was generally seen as meaning "Chinese philology" (language and literature). Sinology has broadened in modern times to include Chinese history, epigraphy, and other subjects.