Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A British paleoanthropologist: Mary Douglas Leakey was a prominent scientist who made significant discoveries in the field of human evolution, particularly in East Africa. She is also known for being the wife of fellow paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Mary Douglas Leakey spent decades excavating sites at Olduvai Gorge.
  • The discovery of the Zinjanthropus skull by Mary Douglas Leakey provided crucial evidence about early hominids.

Advanced Usage

• "The Leakey legacy": Often refers to the collective scientific contributions of the Leakey family, including Mary, Louis, and their son Richard.
  • The Leakey legacy in paleoanthropology is unparalleled, with Mary Douglas Leakey's meticulous work forming a cornerstone.

Variants and Related Words

• Leakey (Proper noun): The family name, often used to refer to Louis Leakey, Richard Leakey, or the family's collective work.
  • The Leakeys revolutionized our understanding of human origins.

Synonyms

• Paleoanthropologist: A scientist who studies fossil hominids and human evolution.
• Archaeologist: A scientist who studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites. (Note: While her work was closely related, her primary field was paleoanthropology.)

Related Phrases

• "The Zinjanthropus find": Directly references her most famous discovery.
  • "The Zinjanthropus find" by Mary Douglas Leakey was a milestone for the field.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. English paleontologist (the wife of Louis Leakey) who discovered the Zinjanthropus skull that was 1,750,000 years old (1913-1996)