meganthropus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “meganthropus” mean?
An extinct genus of very large prehistoric hominins, meaning 'large man'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extinct genus of very large prehistoric hominins, meaning 'large man'.
Any discussion of very large, ancient human-like primates; can be used metaphorically to describe someone of enormous size or primitive behavior.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, confined to paleoanthropology, archaeology, and advanced education.
Grammar
How to Use “meganthropus” in a Sentence
The [discovery/classification] of Meganthropus [verb: is/remains/indicates]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meganthropus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Meganthropus hypothesis is contentious.
- These are Meganthropus-level tools.
American English
- The Meganthropus theory is debated.
- He has a Meganthropus-like jaw.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in paleoanthropology papers discussing Pleistocene hominins in Southeast Asia.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in archaeology, paleontology, and anthropology texts, often with quotes to indicate disputed taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meganthropus”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meganthropus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meganthropus”
- Capitalizing incorrectly: It is 'Meganthropus' (genus name).
- Using as a common noun: e.g., 'a meganthropus' is incorrect; use 'a Meganthropus specimen'.
- Mispronouncing: stress is on 'throp' (/ˈθroʊp/ or /ˈθrəʊp/), not 'Megan'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is largely considered obsolete. Most experts now classify the fossils attributed to Meganthropus within the species Homo erectus.
It comes from Greek, meaning 'large man' or 'giant human'.
Primarily in Java, Indonesia (hence 'Meganthropus palaeojavanicus').
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing unless you are specifically discussing human evolution or making a learned joke about someone's size.
An extinct genus of very large prehistoric hominins, meaning 'large man'.
Meganthropus is usually technical, academic, historical in register.
Meganthropus: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡ(ə)nˈθrəʊpəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛɡənˈθroʊpəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MEGANTHROPUS = MEGA (very large) + ANTHROPUS (relating to man). Think of a MEGA-sized ancient human.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIMITIVE IS LARGE / ANTIQUITY IS MASSIVE.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'Meganthropus' primarily used?