[ ˌɒstrələʊ'pɪθɪkəs , ˌɔ:- ]
■ noun a genus of fossil bipedal primates with both ape-like and human characteristics, found in Pliocene and Lower Pleistocene deposits in Africa.
Derivatives
australopithecine -ɪsi:n noun & adjective
Origin
mod. L., from L. australis (see austral ) + Gk pithēkos 'ape'.