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Glite Dictionary
Dryopithecus

Dryopithecus

9.9
An extinct ape that lived long ago in parts of Europe and Asia, often in trees
  • noun
  • /ˌdraɪəˈpɪθɪkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dryopithecus
  • The fossil remains of Dryopithecus were discovered in Europe, suggesting it roamed the forests millions of years ago.

Examples

  • Paleoanthropologists study Dryopithecus to learn more about the behavior and habitat of ancient primates.

  • Scientists believe that Dryopithecus was an important ancestor to modern apes, providing insight into primate evolution.

  • Maybe about the time of Dryopithecus.

    Fiction book (1998)

Surface Forms

Dryopithecus singular
Dryopitheci plural

Etymology

The word Dryopithecus comes from Greek parts dryo- meaning 'tree' or 'oak' and -pithecus meaning 'ape', so it literally means 'tree ape'. This is a handy memory: the name reminds us it was an ancient ape that spent much time in trees and is known from fossils.