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Neanderthal

(nē an′dər t̸hôl′, -täl′)

adjective

designating, of, or from a valley in the Rhine Province, Germany
designating or of a widespread form of early human being (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) of the Upper Pleistocene Epoch whose skeletal remains were first found in this valley
1. crude or primitive
2. reactionary; regressive

Origin: Ger, lit., Neander valley (Ger thal, tal, valley, akin to dale): after Joachim Neander (1650-80), Ger hymn writer

noun

a Neanderthal human being
a crude, primitive, reactionary, etc. person

Often, for adj. 2 & n. 1, Neandertal

See Neanderthal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An extinct human species (Homo neanderthalensis) or subspecies (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) living during the late Pleistocene Epoch throughout most of Europe and parts of Asia and northern Africa and associated with Middle Paleolithic tools.
b. An individual belonging to this species or subspecies.
Slang A crude, boorish, or slow-witted person.

adjective

Of, having to do with, or resembling Neanderthals.
Slang Crude, boorish, or slow-witted.

Origin:

Origin: After Neanderthal (Neandertal), a valley of western Germany near Düsseldorf

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Related Forms:

Ne·anˌder·thalˈoidˌ (-thôˈloidˌ, -tôˈ-, -täˈ-) adjective

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