anthropoid

/'ænθrəpɔid/

Thân thiện

The anthropoid robot carefully picks up a red apple.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Resembling human beings: Having characteristics or features that are similar to those of humans.
   • Resembling apes: Having characteristics or features that are similar to those of apes, particularly the great apes.

2. Noun:

   • Any member of the suborder Anthropoidea: A biological classification term for a primate of the suborder Anthropoidea, which includes monkeys, apes, and hominids.
   • Person who resembles a nonhuman primate: A human being whose appearance or behavior is considered to be apelike.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The fossil showed an anthropoid skull structure. (The fossil displayed a skull structure resembling that of a human or ape.)
  • Scientists studied the anthropoid features of the ancient primate. (Scientists examined the human-like or ape-like characteristics of the ancient primate.)

• Noun:

  • Monkeys and gorillas are both anthropoids. (Monkeys and gorillas are both members of the primate suborder Anthropoidea.)
  • The old legend spoke of a wild, hairy anthropoid living in the forest. (The old legend told of a wild, hairy creature resembling an ape living in the forest.)

Advanced Usage

• In biological taxonomy: The term is used formally to classify primates. The suborder Anthropoidea is contrasted with the suborder Prosimii (which includes lemurs and tarsiers).
  • The study focused on the evolutionary split between prosimians and anthropoids.
• In figurative or descriptive language: Used to describe something that evokes the form or essence of apes or humans.
  • The statue had an anthropoid quality, blurring the line between human and beast.

Variants and Related Words

• Anthropoidal (adjective): A less common variant meaning the same as 'anthropoid'.
• Anthropoidea (noun): The scientific name for the suborder.
• Anthropoid ape (noun phrase): Refers specifically to the great apes (e.g., gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans) which most closely resemble humans. (Note: This is a compound term listed separately as per instructions).

Synonyms

• Humanoid (adjective/noun): Having an appearance or character resembling that of a human.
• Apelike (adjective): Resembling an ape.
• Simian (adjective/noun): Relating to, or characteristic of apes or monkeys.

Related Phrases

• "Anthropoid coffin": A historical/archaeological term for an ancient Egyptian coffin shaped in the form of a human body.
  • The mummy was placed inside an elaborately painted anthropoid coffin.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The adjective can describe resemblance to either humans or apes, which are related concepts in evolutionary biology. Context usually clarifies the specific resemblance.
• The noun has a precise scientific meaning (a member of a primate suborder) and a more informal, sometimes derogatory, meaning (a person likened to an ape).

Học thuật

Adjective

1. resembling human beings
2. resembling apes

Noun

1. any member of the suborder Anthropoidea including monkeys and apes and hominids
2. person who resembles a nonhuman primate

Từ đồng nghĩa

• manlike
• anthropoidal
• apelike
• ape