pithecanthropus
(pĭthˌĭ-kănˈthrə-pəs, -kăn-thrōˈpəs)
noun An extinct primate postulated from bones found in Java in 1891 and originally designated Pithecanthropus erectus because it was thought to represent a species evolutionarily between apes and humans. Pithecanthropus is now classified as Homo erectus.
Origin:
Origin: New Latin Pithēcanthrōpus, genus name
Origin: : Greek pithēkos, ape
Origin: + Greek anthrōpos, man
.
Related Forms:
- pithˌe·can·thropˈic (-kən-thrŏpˈĭk) adjective
- pithˌe·canˈthro·pine (-kănˈthrə-pīnˌ) adjective
Learn more about pithecanthropus