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Glite Dictionary
Pithecanthropus

Pithecanthropus

9.9
A former name for an early human found in Java, now called Homo erectus
  • noun
  • /ˌpɪθəˈkænθrəpəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Pithecanthropus
  • Researchers discovered fossils of Pithecanthropus in Indonesia.

Examples

  • The study of Pithecanthropus helps us understand human evolution.

  • Higher education institutions often teach about Pithecanthropus as a critical part of anthropology.

  • "Pithecanthropus?

    Fiction book (1994)

Synonyms

Pithecanthropus erectus
vsPithecanthropus
  • Archaic
9.9

An old name for early human fossils now called Homo erectus

refers to a former genus name for several extinct hominids rather than one species
genus Pithecanthropus
vsPithecanthropus
  • Archaic
9.9

A former name for fossil humans now called Homo erectus

is a neutral former genus name without the primitive or apelike emphasis

Compounds

genus Pithecanthropus
  • Archaic
9.9

A former name for fossil humans now called Homo erectus

Pithecanthropus erectus
  • Archaic
9.9

An old name for early human fossils now called Homo erectus

Surface Forms

Pithecanthropus singular
Pithecanthropi plural

Morphology

Pithecanthropus = pithec + anthrop + us

The term is a specialized scientific name built from classical combining forms that are not standalone English words, so its meaning is not accessible to an average B1 learner from its parts.

Etymology

Pithecanthropus comes from Greek parts pithec- 'ape' and -anthropus 'man', so it literally means 'ape-man'. It was the old name for certain early human remains (the famous 'Java man') and that name shows why people thought these bones were between apes and humans, though scientists now call them Homo erectus.