hominid

/ˈhɑmənɪd/

Other forms: hominids

Hominids are the group of primates that includes humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees, among others. You are a person, but you can also call yourself a hominid.

The word hominid originally referred only to humans, and its Latin root reflects that: homo, or "man." Today scientists use it to talk about any of the great apes (including humans). Things all hominids have in common include the absence of a tail, a gestation of 8 or 9 months before birth, offspring that's born helpless, and in most cases, a preference for fruit (although some hominids are omnivorous).

Definitions of hominid

1. noun

   a primate of the family Hominidae
   types:

   homo, human, human being, man

   any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage

   Pithecanthropus, Pithecanthropus erectus, genus Pithecanthropus

   former genus of primitive apelike men now Homo erectus

   Sinanthropus, genus Sinanthropus

   genus to which Peking man was formerly assigned

   Javanthropus, genus Javanthropus

   former genus of primitive man; now Homo soloensis: comprises Solo man

   australopithecine

   any of several extinct humanlike bipedal primates with relatively small brains of the genus Australopithecus; from 1 to 4 million years ago

   Sivapithecus

   fossil primates found in India

   dryopithecine

   considered a possible ancestor to both anthropoid apes and humans

   human beings, human race, humanity, humankind, humans, man, mankind, world

   all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

   Homo erectus

   extinct species of primitive hominid with upright stature but small brain

   Homo soloensis

   extinct primitive hominid of late Pleistocene; Java; formerly Javanthropus

   Homo habilis

   extinct species of upright East African hominid having some advanced humanlike characteristics

   Homo sapiens

   the only surviving hominid; species to which modern man belongs; bipedal primate having language and ability to make and use complex tools; brain volume at least 1400 cc

   Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, Neandertal, Neandertal man, Neanderthal, Neanderthal man

   extinct robust human of Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia

   Australopithecus afarensis

   fossils found in Ethiopia; from 3.5 to 4 million years ago

   Australopithecus africanus

   gracile hominid of southern Africa; from about 3 million years ago

   Australopithecus boisei

   large-toothed hominid of eastern Africa; from 1 to 2 million years ago

   Zinjanthropus, genus Zinjanthropus

   genus to which Australopithecus boisei was formerly assigned

   Australopithecus robustus

   large-toothed hominid of southern Africa; from 1.5 to 2 million years ago; formerly Paranthropus

   Paranthropus, genus Paranthropus

   former classification for Australopithecus robustus

   Dryopithecus Rudapithecus hungaricus, rudapithecus

   fossil hominoids from northern central Hungary; late Miocene

   Homo rhodesiensis, Rhodesian man

   a primitive hominid resembling Neanderthal man but living in Africa

   type of:

   primate

   any placental mammal of the order Primates; has good eyesight and flexible hands and feet
2. adjective

   characterizing the family Hominidae, which includes Homo sapiens as well as extinct species of manlike creatures
   synonyms: hominian

   human

   having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings