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troglodyte

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(träg′lə dīt′)

noun

any of the prehistoric people who lived in caves; cave man
1. a person who chooses to live alone in seclusion; recluse
2. anyone who lives in a primitive or degenerate fashion
an anthropoid ape

Origin: L troglodyta < Gr trōglodytēs, one who creeps into holes, cave dweller < trōglē, a hole, cave (< trōgein, to gnaw < IE *trōg- < base *ter-, to rub, grind > throw) + dyein, to creep in, enter

Related Forms:

troglodytic adjective or troglodytical

See troglodyte in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A member of a fabulous or prehistoric race of people that lived in caves, dens, or holes.
b. A person considered to be reclusive, reactionary, out of date, or brutish.
a. An anthropoid ape, such as a gorilla or chimpanzee.
b. An animal that lives underground, as an ant or a worm.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin Trōglodytae, a people said to be cave dwellers

Origin: , from Greek Trōglodutai

Origin: , alteration (influenced by trōglē, hole, and -dutai, those who enter)

Origin: of Trōgodutai

Related Forms: