troglodyte
1. (Science: ethnology) One of any savage race that dwells in caves, instead of constructing dwellings; a cave dweller. most of the primitive races of man were troglodytes. In the troglodytes’ country there is a lake, for the hurtful water it beareth called the mad lake. (Holland)
2. (Science: zoology) A genus of apes including the chimpanzee.
3. (Science: ornithology) A genus of singing birds including the common wrens.
Origin: L. Troglodytae, pl, Gr. One who creeps into holes; a hole, cavern (fr. To gnaw) – enter: cf. F. Troglodyte.
Dictionary > Troglodytes
