prehominid

noun

pre·​hom·​i·​nid ˌprē-ˈhä-mə-nəd How to pronounce prehominid (audio)
: any of various extinct primates resembling or ancestral to hominids
prehominid adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin pre- + homin-, homo human being — more at homage

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prehominid was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near prehominid

Cite this Entry

“Prehominid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehominid. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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