hominid
Americannoun
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of hominid
1885–90; < New Latin Hominidae, equivalent to Latin homin- (stem of homō ) “human being, man” ( see Homo) + -idae ( def. )
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Explanation
Hominids are the group of primates that includes humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees, among others. You are a person, but you can also call yourself a hominid. The word hominid originally referred only to humans, and its Latin root reflects that: homo, or "man." Today scientists use it to talk about any of the great apes (including humans). Things all hominids have in common include the absence of a tail, a gestation of 8 or 9 months before birth, offspring that's born helpless, and in most cases, a preference for fruit (although some hominids are omnivorous).
Vocabulary lists containing hominid
The Stone Age - Middle School and High School
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Chapter 1
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Content Summary 1.1: Human Adaptation and Migration in the Paleolithic World
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She writes the blog Hominid Hunting for Smithsonian.com.
From Slate • Oct. 19, 2012
"Hominid fingers and toes don't look alike at all."
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
