troglodyte

American  

[trog-luh-dahyt] / ˈtrɒg ləˌdaɪt /

noun

1. a prehistoric cave dweller.

2. a person of degraded, primitive, or brutal character.

3. a person living in seclusion.

4. a person unacquainted with affairs of the world.

5. an animal living underground.

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troglodyte British  

/ ˈtrɒɡləˌdaɪt, ˌtrɒɡləˈdɪtɪk /

noun

1. a cave dweller, esp one of the prehistoric peoples thought to have lived in caves

2. informal a person who lives alone and appears eccentric

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Other Word Forms

• troglodytic adjective
• troglodytical adjective
• troglodytism noun

Etymology

Origin of troglodyte

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin trōglodyta, from Greek trōglodýtēs “one who creeps into holes, cave dweller,” equivalent to trōglo- (combining form of trṓglē “a hole formed by gnawing”; trogon ) + dý(ein) “to creep into” + -tēs agent suffix

Explanation

A troglodyte is a person who lives all alone, in seclusion. You could call this type a "hermit" or a "recluse," but it's more fun to say troglodyte. Troglodyte is formed from the Greek words trogle, "hole", and dyein, "to dive into." The word translates to mean "he who dwells in caves." While a troglodyte can be what we think of as a pre-historic caveman, it also means someone who lives in any sort of tiny, unkempt house. Nowadays, a troglodyte generally refers to someone who lives alone, like a hermit. If you don’t mind having a dirty hole for a home, then perhaps you are a troglodyte.

Example Sentences

I believe I once heard him utter the word troglodyte.

From Washington Times • Nov. 22, 2022

At 76, he’s too damn old for the action hero guise, something his character acknowledges with, ”I’m a troglodyte.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2022

So here's my defense of this troglodyte: He can eat whatever he wants.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2021

In tourist centers like Alcalá del Júcar, visitors flock to see medieval troglodyte caves, some of which have now been turned into bars and restaurants.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2018

“Do you want to end your days a half-blind troglodyte hobbling through the bowels of the library?” the old man demanded.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• hermit