troglodyte Hear it!

troglodyte Definition

trog·lo·dyte (träglə dīt′)

noun

  1. 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
  2. an anthropoid ape

Etymology: 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

troglodyte Related Forms
trog′·lo·dytic (--ditik) adjective or trog′·lo·dyti·cal
troglodyte Synonyms

troglodyte

n.

  1. A prehistoric cave-dweller

    cave man, savage, aborigine; see hominid.

  2. A recluse

    hermit, solitary, ascetic; see hermit.

troglodyte Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • pan: A vocabulary test for chimpanzees ( pan troglodytes ).

Modifies a noun

  • dwelling: Marvel at the diverse scenery - from elegant fairy-tale châteaux to sloping vineyards and troglodyte dwellings in the cliffs.
  • existence: Soldiers on both sides lived a desperate troglodyte existence in the waterlogged shell holes that had destroyed almost all trace of their trench systems.
  • village: There are many troglodyte villages in the Costa Almeria.
  • home: Dating back to the 7th century, these troglodyte homes and villages are a feature of this area.
  • anemone: Plumose, Beadlet and Sagartia troglodytes sea anemones were recorded.
  • church: CAPPADOCIA HIKE - 3 days warm-up hike and visits to troglodyte churches in the Goreme Valley region.

Noun used with modifier

  • sagartia: Sagartia troglodytes with the tentacles retracted underneath a rock, with a drooping goblet appearance.

Browse dictionary entries near troglodyte

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