First Known Use: 1874
Dictionary
Neanderthal
noun Ne·an·der·thal \nē-ˈan-dər-ˌtȯl, -ˌthȯl; nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtäl\
: a type of early human being that existed very long ago in Europe
: a man who is stupid and rude
: a person who has very old-fashioned ideas and who does not like change
Full Definition of NEANDERTHAL
1
or 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
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Origin of NEANDERTHAL
Neanderthal, valley in western Germany
Other Anthropology Terms
Rhymes with NEANDERTHAL
NEANDERTAL Defined for Kids
Neanderthal
noun Ne·an·der·thal \nē-ˈan-dər-ˌthȯl\
Definition of NEANDERTHAL for Kids
: an ancient human who lived 30,000 to 200,000 years ago
Variants of NEANDERTHAL
Ne·an·der·thal or Ne·an·der·tal \-ˌtȯl\
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