australopithecine

aus·tra·lo·pith·e·cine

A0529700 (ô-strā′lō-pĭth′ĭ-sēn′, -sīn′, ô′strə-lə-)n. An australopith.

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[New Latin Austrālopithēcus, genus name, -ine.]

australopithecine

(ˌɒstrələʊˈpɪθɪˌsiːn) n1. (Anthropology & Ethnology) any of various extinct apelike primates of the genus Australopithecus and related genera, remains of which have been discovered in southern and E Africa. Some species are estimated to be over 4.5 million years old. See also zinjanthropus2. (Zoology) any of various extinct apelike primates of the genus Australopithecus and related genera, remains of which have been discovered in southern and E Africa. Some species are estimated to be over 4.5 million years old. See also zinjanthropusadj3. (Anthropology & Ethnology) of or relating to any of these primates4. (Zoology) of or relating to any of these primates[C20: from New Latin Australopithecus, from Latin austrālis southern, austral¹ + Greek pithēkos ape]

aus•tra•lo•pith•e•cine

(ɔˌstreɪ loʊˈpɪθ əˌsin, -ˌsaɪn, -pəˈθi sɪn, -ˌsaɪn, ˌɔ strə-)

n. 1. (sometimes cap.) a member of the genus Australopithecus. adj. 2. of, pertaining to, or resembling the genus Australopithecus or its members. [1935–40]

aus·tra·lo·pith·e·cine

(ô-strā′lō-pĭth′ĭ-sēn′) Any of several early hominids of eastern and southern Africa, known from fossils dating from about four million to about one million years ago. The most complete australopithecine skeleton found so far, named Lucy by its discoverers, is estimated to be just over three million years old. While many scientists believe that australopithecines are ancestors of modern humans, not enough fossils have yet been found to establish any direct descent.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	australopithecine - any of several extinct humanlike bipedal primates with relatively small brains of the genus Australopithecus; from 1 to 4 million years agohominid - a primate of the family HominidaeAustralopithecus, genus Australopithecus - extinct genus of African hominidAustralopithecus afarensis - fossils found in Ethiopia; from 3.5 to 4 million years agoAustralopithecus africanus - gracile hominid of southern Africa; from about 3 million years agoAustralopithecus boisei - large-toothed hominid of eastern Africa; from 1 to 2 million years agogenus Zinjanthropus, Zinjanthropus - genus to which Australopithecus boisei was formerly assignedAustralopithecus robustus - large-toothed hominid of southern Africa; from 1.5 to 2 million years ago; formerly Paranthropusgenus Paranthropus, Paranthropus - former classification for Australopithecus robustus
Adj.	1.	australopithecine - of or belonging to the hominid genus Australopithecus