Oreopithecus

American  

[awr-ee-oh-pith-i-kuhs, -puh-thee-kuhs, ohr-] / ˌɔr i oʊˈpɪθ ɪ kəs, -pəˈθi kəs, ˌoʊr- /

noun

1. the genus of an extinct hominoid found in the Miocene coal deposits of Italy, the last known European ape, living 7–9 million years ago and possessing physical and dietary similarities to early hominins, but not classified with them.

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Etymology

Origin of Oreopithecus

First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin: literally “mountain ape”; from Greek ore-, oreo-, (stems of óros ) “hill, mountain” + Greek píthēkos “ape”

Example Sentences

A second case concerns 7- to 8-million-year-old Oreopithecus, designated a hominid about 50 years ago.

From US News • Feb. 17, 2011

Oreopithecus lived in Miocene-period marshes, which are now coal areas around Grosseto, in central Italy.

From Time Magazine Archive

But in 1949 Hurzeler became convinced that Oreopithecus was a higher type.

From Time Magazine Archive

To expand it, Hurzeler set out 28 months ago, with backing from Manhattan's Wenner-Gren Foundation, to find an entire Oreopithecus skeleton, came to be called "keeper of the abominable coal man" by weary friends.

From Time Magazine Archive