anthropoid
UK[ˈanθrəpɔɪd]US[ˈænθrəˌpɔɪd]
adj
Resembling a human being in form.
n
A primate of a group that includes humans, their fossil ancestors, and the great apes.
Morpheme Breakdown
anthrop
oid
anthrop
human
oid
resembling
Etymology
The word 'anthropoid' is a direct borrowing from the Greek anthrōpoeidēs, meaning 'of human form'. It is constructed from the root anthrōp- (human) and the adjectival suffix -oeidēs (resembling). This suffix, derived from the Greek eidos (form, shape), is a common element in scientific terminology to denote likeness, as seen in words like 'humanoid' and 'asteroid'. The term entered English in the early 19th century via scientific Latin (anthropoides) to classify primates closely resembling humans, a meaning that logically extends from its literal Greek components.
Analysis
Structure: anthrop (human) + oid (resembling)
- anthrop: From Greek anthrōpos, meaning 'human being'. Acts as the core root.
- oid: From Greek -oeidēs, meaning 'having the form of, resembling'. Acts as an adjective-forming suffix.
Examples
The anthropoid apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, share a significant amount of DNA with humans.
The fossil revealed an anthropoid skull with features intermediate between apes and early hominids.
In the story, the aliens were not monstrous but had a distinctly anthropoid appearance.