Pilt·down man | \ ˈpilt-ˌdau̇n- 
\
\Definition of Piltdown man
: a supposedly very early hominid erroneously reconstructed in the early 1900s from what was later determined to be human skull fragments and an orangutan lower jaw planted by a hoaxer
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Piltdown man
What made you want to look up Piltdown man? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz - Word Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share Piltdown man
Time Traveler for Piltdown man
The first known use of Piltdown man was in 1913
See more words from the same year