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Glite Dictionary
dryopithecine

dryopithecine

9.9
An extinct ape from millions of years ago that may be an ancestor of modern apes and humans
  • noun
  • /ˌdraɪəˈpɪθəˌsiːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dryopiteco
  • The dryopithecine species lived millions of years ago.
  • African dryopithecine

Examples

  • Scientists believe that studying dryopithecines can provide insights into the ancestry of anthropoid apes.

  • Museums often display dryopithecine skulls alongside those of other prehistoric primates.

  • Paleontologists believe the dryopithecine may bridge the gap between early apes and humans.

  • The discovery of a fossilized dryopithecine jaw shed light on ape evolution.

  • Fossils of dryopithecines have been discovered in Europe.

  • The dryopithecine is considered an important link in the evolution of modern apes and humans.

  • Fossils of dryopithecines have been found in various locations, indicating their widespread existence in prehistoric times.

Synonyms

Dryopithecus
vsdryopithecine
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct ape that lived long ago in parts of Europe and Asia, often in trees

is considered a possible ancestor of both anthropoid apes and humans
Proconsul
vsdryopithecine
  • Specialized
9.9

An extinct early ape from Africa that lived long ago

is considered a possible ancestor of apes and humans rather than only primitive primates

Surface Forms

dryopithecine singular
dryopithecines plural

Morphology

dryopithecine = Dryopithecus (opaque) = dryo + pithec + ine

Although built from classical combining forms and a taxonomic suffix, the components are technical and not interpretable by average learners, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Dryopithecine comes from Greek parts dryo- meaning 'tree' and pithekos meaning 'ape'. So a dryopithecine is a 'tree ape', and that name helps explain why scientists think these extinct apes from forests may be early relatives of modern apes and humans.