Pithecism
/ˈpɪθɪsɪzəm/noun
An ape-like condition or behavior, especially the imitation of apes.
Did you know?Pithecism belongs to a nineteenth-century tradition of classifying human behavior through comparisons with animals, reflecting the era’s fascination with evolution and human ancestry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πίθηκος (píthēkos)
“A monkey or ape”
Hellenistic and Roman scientific usage
Greek/Latin
pithekos / pithecus
“A Greek-derived zoological term referring to an ape”
19th Century
New Latin
pithec-
“Scientific combining form meaning “ape,” used in zoological and anthropological terminology”
19th Century
English
pithecism
“An ape-like condition or behavior”
Modern English
English
pithecism
“An obsolete or rare term for ape-like behavior, particularly imitation of apes”
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