Pithecanthropus Definition
pĭthĭ-kănthrə-pəs, -kăn-thrōpəs
noun
An extinct hominin known from fossil remains discovered in Java in 1891 and originally designated Pithecanthropus erectus because it was thought to represent a species evolutionarily intermediate between humans and nonhuman apes. Pithecanthropus is now classified as Homo erectus. It is sometimes referred to as Java man.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- genus Pithecanthropus
- pithecanthropus-erectus
Origin of Pithecanthropus
New Latin Pithēcanthrōpus former genus name Greek pithēkos ape Greek anthrōpos human being
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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