australopithecine

[ aw-strey-loh-pith-uh-seen, -sahyn, -puh-thee-sin, -sahyn, aw-struh-loh- ]

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a member of the extinct genus Australopithecus.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling the genus Australopithecus or its members.

australopithecine

/ ˌɒstrələʊˈpɪθɪˌsiːn /

noun

1. any of various extinct apelike primates of the genus Australopithecus and related genera, remains of which have been discovered in southern and E Africa. Some species are estimated to be over 4.5 million years old See also zinjanthropus

adjective

1. of or relating to any of these primates

australopithecine

/ ô-strā′lō-pĭth′ĭ-sēn′ /

1. Any of several early hominids of the genus Australopithecus of eastern and southern Africa, known from fossils dating from about 4 million to about 1 million years ago. The most complete australopithecine skeleton found so far, named Lucy by its discoverers, is estimated to be just over 3 million years old. While many scientists believe that australopithecines are ancestors of modern humans, not enough fossils have yet been found to establish any direct descent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of australopithecine¹

First recorded in 1935–40; Australopithec(us) + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of australopithecine¹

C20: from New Latin Australopithecus, from Latin austrālis southern, austral ¹+ Greek pithēkos ape