neandertal
UK[niˈændətɑːl]US[niˈændərˌtɑːl]
n
an extinct species of archaic human that lived in eurasia until about 40,000 years ago
adj
relating to or characteristic of this extinct human species
Etymology
the term originates from the neander valley in germany, where the first recognized fossils of this species were discovered in 1856. the german name for the valley, 'neandertal', translates to 'neander valley', with 'thal' being the old german word for 'valley'. the scientific name homo neanderthalensis was subsequently latinized, and the modern english spelling 'neandertal' reflects a 20th-century german spelling reform where 'thal' became 'tal'. thus, the word's journey is not one of combined morphemes but of a toponym becoming a global scientific and cultural label for our closest extinct human relatives.
Analysis
the word is a proper noun derived from a specific geographical location and is not meaningfully segmentable into smaller morphemes in modern english.
Examples
recent studies suggest neandertal dna is present in many modern human populations.
the museum exhibit featured a reconstruction of a neandertal dwelling.
the neandertal skull exhibited distinct brow ridges and a robust build.