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

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

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

This is one of those columns where I betray what a technological troglodyte I am.

From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2016

“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