-ə̇ˈrektəs noun
Usage: usually capitalized H
Etymology: New Latin, literally, erect human being
: an extinct large-brained hominid of the genus Homo ( H. erectus ) that is known from fossil remains in Africa, Europe, and Asia, is estimated to have flourished from 1.6 million years ago to 250,000 years ago, is thought to be the first hominid to master fire and inhabit caves, and is believed to be the immediate ancestor of modern man