Swartkranz ape-man

noun

Swart·​kranz ape-man

variants or Swartkrans man

ˈsfärtˌkränz,

ˈsvä-

: a large extinct southern African australopithecine (Homo erectus capensis) known from skulls, teeth, and other fossil skeletal remains and having a flat face and brow with weak supraorbital crest, a well-developed sagittal crest, a distinctly manlike jaw and teeth, and a brain capacity surpassing that of any recent ape and possibly that of Java man compare kromdraai ape-man

Word History

Etymology

from Swartkranz or Swartkrans, region near Johannesburg, South Africa, where the remains were found

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now