Pronunciation: n ē - ' an-d ə r- ˌ to ̇ l, - ˌ tho ̇ l; n ā - ' än-d ə r- ˌ täl
Function: noun
Etymology: Neanderthal, valley in western Germany
Date: 1863
1 or Ne · an · der · tal \ - ˌ to ̇ l, - ˌ täl \ : a hominid ( Homo neanderthalensis syn H. sapiens neanderthalensis ) known from skeletal remains in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia that lived from about 30,000 to 200,000 years ago ― called also Neanderthal man
2 : one who suggests a caveman in appearance, mentality, or behavior
– Neanderthal or Neandertal adjective
– Ne · an · der · thal · oid \ - ˌ to ̇ - ˌ lo ̇ id, - ˌ tho ̇ -, - ˌ tä- \ adjective or noun