anthropoid etymology

Etymology:

The word "anthropoid" derives from two Greek roots:

  • "anthropos" (άνθρωπος), meaning "human being"
  • "-oid" (ωειδής), meaning "like" or "having the form of"

Meaning:

Anthropoid refers to organisms that closely resemble humans in their anatomy, particularly primates. It is used to describe animals from the suborder Anthropoidea, which are characterized by:

  • Grasping hands with opposable thumbs
  • Binocular vision
  • Large brains with complex social structures

Origin:

The term "anthropoid" was first coined in 1758 by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. He classified humans as "Homo anthropoides" in his 10th edition of "Systema Naturae." This classification was later revised, and humans are now recognized as a distinct species, "Homo sapiens." However, the term "anthropoid" continues to be used to refer to non-human primates that share significant similarities with humans.

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