Aegyptopithecus

[ ih-jip-toh-pith-i-kuhs, -puh-thee-kuhs ]

noun

1. a presumed genus of extinct primate, known from remains of a single species, A. zeuxis, 33–35 million years old and thought to have resembled modern New World monkeys: most fossils originate in Egypt, the first having been discovered in central Egypt in 1965.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aegyptopithecus¹

First recorded in 1960–65; from New Latin, equivalent to Latin Aegypt(us) “Egypt” + New Latin -o- + pithēcus “ape,” from Greek píthēkos; -o- ( def )

Example Sentences

Other finds on expeditions led by Dr. Simons include Catopithecus, a primate somewhat older than Aegyptopithecus.

From New York Times

Reconstructing the inner ear canals of Aegyptopithecus zeuxis and other ancient primates is giving scientists new clues about their locomotion.

From Science Magazine

Dr. Simons and his team later turned up more Aegyptopithecus skulls — finds that suggested the creature was no towering intellectual.

From New York Times