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• Primates
  Primates

  noun

  the order comprising the primates.
• primates
  primates

  The order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and human beings. Primates are distinguished from other animals in that they generally possess limbs capable of performing a variety of functions, hands and feet adapted for grasping (including opposable thumbs), flattened snouts, and other anatomical features. (See Linnean classification.)

Primates

American  

[prahy-mey-teez] / praɪˈmeɪ tiz /

noun

1. the order comprising the primates.

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primates Cultural  

1. The order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and human beings. Primates are distinguished from other animals in that they generally possess limbs capable of performing a variety of functions, hands and feet adapted for grasping (including opposable thumbs), flattened snouts, and other anatomical features. (See Linnean classification.)

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Etymology

Origin of Primates

1765–75; < New Latin, plural of Latin prīmās one of the first, chief, principal. See primate

Example Sentences

Primates were already around by the time the asteroid struck, in a Northern Hemisphere spring 66 million years ago.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2024

Primates, including humans, have larger brains than most other mammals, but why?

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

"Primates have particular welfare needs that cannot be met by keeping them as a household pet and this legislation seeks to end this practice."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2024

Primates aren’t the only exotic animals popular here.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2024

Primates — monkeys, chimps, baboons, humans — have the biggest brains of all mammals.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell