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anthropoid

noun
an·​thro·​poid | \ ˈan(t)-thrə-ˌpȯid How to pronounce anthropoid (audio) \

Definition of anthropoid

1 : any of a suborder (Anthropoidea) of higher primates (such as macaques and marmosets) especially : ape sense 1a
2 : a person resembling an ape the howling anthropoids of the Hookworm Belt— H. L. Mencken
Other Words from anthropoid Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about anthropoid

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Other Words from anthropoid

anthropoid adjective

Did You Know?

With its suffix -oid, meaning "resembling", the word anthropoid means literally "resembling a human being". Anthropoid apes are so called because they resemble humans more closely than do other primates such as monkeys and lemurs. Some even spend a good deal of time walking on their hind legs. Anthropoids are, of course, highly intelligent (though maybe no more so than many monkeys), and some of them use sticks and stones as tools. (But if you call someone an anthropoid, you're probably not complimenting his intelligence.)

Examples of anthropoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 This 65-67 million-year-old relic looked down from on high on the anthropoids enjoying their time of evolutionary flourishing. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Backstory to the 2017 biotech convention in San Diego," 18 June 2017 Since humans are apes, and apes are anthropoid primates, the last common ancestor of all anthropoids would be one of our distant primate ancestors. — Brian Switek, WIRED, "Ganlea megacania and more "missing link" mania," 1 July 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anthropoid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of anthropoid

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for anthropoid

Greek anthrōpoeidēs resembling a human, from anthrōpos

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More Definitions for anthropoid

anthropoid

adjective
an·​thro·​poid | \ ˈan(t)-thrə-ˌpȯid How to pronounce anthropoid (audio) \

Medical Definition of anthropoid

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : resembling humans —used especially of apes of the family Pongidae
2 of the pelvis : having a relatively great anteroposterior dimension — compare android, gynecoid, platypelloid

anthropoid

noun

Medical Definition of anthropoid (Entry 2 of 2)

: ape sense 2

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More from Merriam-Webster on anthropoid

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with anthropoid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for anthropoid

Spanish Central: Translation of anthropoid

Nglish: Translation of anthropoid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anthropoid

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