anthropoid ape

[ an-thruh-poid eyp ]

noun

1. any member of the former taxonomic suborder Anthropoidea, under which New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, and apes, including humans, were grouped: modern classification groups these under the suborder Haplorhini along with the tarsiers.

anthropoid ape

noun

1. any primate of the family Pongidae, having no tail, elongated arms, and a highly developed brain. The group includes gibbons, orang-utans, chimpanzees, and gorillas

anthropoid ape

/ ăn′thrə-poid′ /

1. A primate belonging to the family Pongidae, which includes the chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, and orangutan. Orangutans are arboreal whereas the other three species are terrestrial or semiarboreal. Anthropoid apes move in trees mainly by arm-swinging and on the ground by quadrupedal walking in which the upper body weight is borne on the knuckles.
2. Also called great ape pongid
3. Compare hominid

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthropoid ape¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The anthropoid ape, like man, has only the rudiment of a tail.

From Project Gutenberg

In any case, we have a clear proof of the close affinity of man and the anthropoid ape.

From Project Gutenberg

The other held a great cage—and in the cage was an anthropoid ape larger even than the great brute they had met on the trail!

From Project Gutenberg

The Bentley buried within the mighty carcass of an anthropoid ape watched and shuddered.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you know the difference between the brain of a man and that of an anthropoid ape?

From Project Gutenberg