neoanthropogenic
|neo-an-thro-po-gen-ic|
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/ˌniː.oʊˌænθrəpəˈdʒɛnɪk/
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/ˌniːəʊˌænθrəpəˈdʒɛnɪk/
recent human-caused change
Etymology
'neoanthropogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'neos', 'anthropos' and 'genēs', where 'neos' meant 'new', 'anthropos' meant 'human', and 'genēs' meant 'born of' or 'producing'.
'neoanthropogenic' was formed in modern English by adding the prefix 'neo-' to the existing adjective 'anthropogenic' (itself from Greek 'anthropos' + suffix '-genic'), creating a compound used in contemporary environmental science and geology.
Initially, 'anthropogenic' meant 'originating in human activity'; the coinage 'neoanthropogenic' adds the sense of 'new' or 'recent', emphasizing contemporary or novel human-caused changes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or resulting from recent human activities that substantially alter Earth's ecosystems, geology, or atmosphere; caused or strongly influenced by modern human action.
Researchers are examining neoanthropogenic threats to coastal wetlands.
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Adjective 2
pertaining to or characteristic of a proposed new (human-dominated) geological or ecological phase—emphasizing the novel or recent epoch of profound human influence (similar in sense to 'Neo-Anthropocene').
Some geologists use 'neoanthropogenic' to describe strata affected by recent, widespread human activity.
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Last updated: 2025/12/10 17:40