australopith

plural australopiths · alternative Australopith

1. anthropologyAny of the hominids of the extinct genus Australopithecus.

   The incisors are more similar in size to the molars compared to earlier australopiths—a condition which is also more humanlike. The limb bones indicate A. garhi had small stature like earlier australopiths.

   2007, Holly M. Dunsworth, Human Origins 101, page 78

   2 more examples

   Most authorities would nowadays concur that the australopiths were generally committed to habitats with at least some trees, to which they were more or less tied for sleeping and for shelter from predators during the day, as well as for a large part of their sustenance.

   2008, Rob DeSalle, Ian Tattersall, Human Origins: What Bones And Genomes Tell Us About Ourselves, page 118

   Later we'll consider how these principles apply to australopith craniofacial function, but first let's review briefly how different australopiths accommodated large teeth and big masticatory muscles, and how they grew large, buttressed faces.

   2011, Daniel E. Lieberman, The Evolution of the Human Head, page 451

   Synonyms: australopithecine, Australopithecus

comparative more australopith · superlative most australopith · alternative Australopith

1. anthropologyOf or pertaining to the hominids of the extinct genus Australopithecus.

plural Australopiths

1. Alternative letter-case form of australopith.

1. not comparableAlternative letter-case form of australopith.