anthropoidean
|an-thro-poi-de-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəpəˈiːdiən/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəpəʊˈiːdiən/
human-like primate
Etymology
'anthropoidean' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anthropoidea', ultimately from Greek 'ánthrōpos' meaning 'human' and 'eidos' meaning 'form'.
'anthropoidean' changed from New Latin 'Anthropoidea' with the English adjectival/nominal suffix '-an' to form 'anthropoidean' used in modern scientific English to denote members of or relating to that group.
Initially it carried the general sense 'human-like' (from Greek roots), but over time it evolved into a technical term referring specifically to the primate group 'Anthropoidea' (monkeys and apes) and things relating to them.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a primate that belongs to the infraorder Anthropoidea (the anthropoid primates: monkeys and apes); an anthropoid primate.
The fossil was identified as an anthropoidean rather than a prosimian.
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Adjective 1
relating to or resembling members of the Anthropoidea; anthropoid.
Anthropoidean features are evident in the skull morphology.
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Last updated: 2025/08/25 23:22