Main Entry: Ne·an·der·thal

Pronunciation: \nē-ˈan-dər-ˌtȯl, -ˌthȯl; nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtäl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Neanderthal, valley in western Germany

Date: 1863

1or Ne·an·der·tal \-ˌtȯl, -ˌtäl\ : a hominid (Homo neanderthalensis syn H. sapiens neanderthalensis) known from skeletal remains in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia that lived from about 30,000 to 200,000 years ago —called also Neanderthal man
2 : one who suggests a caveman in appearance, mentality, or behavior

— Neanderthal or Neandertal adjective

— Ne·an·der·thal·oid \-ˌtȯ-ˌlȯid, -ˌthȯ-, -ˌtä-\ adjective or noun