alalus

noun

al·​a·​lus

ˈa-lə-ləs;

(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,

-ˈla-

plural alali

ˈa-lə-ˌlī;

(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,

-ˈla-

or alaloi

ˈa-lə-ˌlȯi;

(ˈ)ā-ˈlā-,

-ˈla-

: a hypothetical hominid lacking the faculty of speech

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek alalos speechless, from a- a- entry 2 + lalos loquacious

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

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