alalus
noun
al·a·lus
ˈa-lə-ləs;
(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,
-ˈla-
plural alali
ˈa-lə-ˌlī;
(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,
-ˈla-
or alaloi ˈa-lə-ˌlȯi;
(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,
-ˈla-
: a hypothetical hominid lacking the faculty of speech
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek alalos speechless, from a- a- entry 2 + lalos loquacious
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined above