australopithecine
[ aw-strey-loh-pith-uh-seen, -sahyn, -puh-thee-sin, -sahyn, aw-struh- ]
/ ɔˌstreɪ loʊˈpɪθ əˌsin, -ˌsaɪn, -pəˈθi sɪn, -ˌsaɪn, ˌɔ strə- /
noun
(sometimes initial capital letter) a member of the extinct genus Australopithecus.
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling the genus Australopithecus or its members.
Words nearby australopithecine
Origin of australopithecine
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for australopithecine
australopithecine
/ (ˌɒstrələʊˈpɪθɪˌsiːn) /
noun
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 oldSee also zinjanthropus
adjective
of or relating to any of these primates
Word Origin for australopithecine
C20: from New Latin Australopithecus, from Latin austrālis southern, austral 1 + Greek pithēkos ape
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for australopithecine
australopithecine
[ ô-strā′lō-pĭth′ĭ-sēn′ ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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