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

Example Sentences

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

From Literature

My conversations happened during the #MeToo movement, which even a troglodyte like me was exposed to on social media feeds.

From The Guardian

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

You wish he were more in touch with his inner troglodyte.

From New York Times

It’s disturbing, much like the troglodyte comments that Girls draws over Lena Dunham’s physical appearance.

From Time

Related Words

• hermit