Homo floresiensis

[hoh-moh flawr-es-ee-en-sis, flohr-]

noun

1. a species of small, primitive humans with a tiny brain and large teeth, living about 50,000–100,000 years ago: several fossil specimens, along with stone tools, have been discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores since first discovery in 2003.

2. a fossil belonging to this species.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Homo floresiensis¹

First recorded in 2000–05; from New Latin: literally “man from Flores”; Homo ( def. ), -iensis ( def. )