Kenyapithecus

noun

Ken·​ya·​pi·​the·​cus

ˌkenyəˈpithə̇kəs,

ˌkēn-,

-pə̇ˈthēk-

1

: a genus of extinct ancient primates (K. africanus and K. wickeri) of eastern Africa held to be part of the great ape and human evolutionary lineage of which the primitive form (K. africanus) is now sometimes included in another primate genus (genus Equatorius)

2

plural -es : a primate of the genus Kenyapithecus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Kenya, country in Africa + New Latin -pithecus

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!