Homo sapiens
[ hoh-moh sey-pee-uh nz ]
/ ˈhoʊ moʊ ˈseɪ pi ənz /
noun
(italics)
the species of bipedal primates to which modern humans belong, characterized by a brain capacity averaging 1400 cc (85 cubic in.) and by dependence upon language and the creation and utilization of complex tools.
Origin of Homo sapiens
1795–1805; < New Latin: rational man
British Dictionary definitions for homo sapiens
Homo sapiens
/ (ˈsæpɪˌɛnz) /
noun
the specific name of modern man; the only extant species of the genus Homo. This species also includes extinct types of primitive man such as Cro-Magnon man
See also man (def. 5)
Word Origin for Homo sapiens
New Latin, from Latin
homo man +
sapiens wise
Scientific definitions for homo sapiens
Homo sapiens
[ sā′pē-ənz ]
The modern species of humans. Archaic forms of Homo sapiens probably evolved around 300,000 years ago or earlier in Africa, and anatomically modern fossils are known from about 100,000 years ago. All humans now living belong to the subspecies Homo sapiens sapiens. The closest living relative of Homo sapiens is the chimpanzee. See more at archaic Homo sapiens Cro-Magnon Neanderthal.
Cultural definitions for homo sapiens
Homo sapiens
[ (hoh-moh say-pee-uhnz) ]
The biological classification of modern humans. Homo sapiens is Latin for “the wise human” or “the clever human.” The earliest Homo sapiens was Neanderthal, who developed about 150,000 years ago. Sometimes modern humans are further classified into the subspecies of Homo sapiens neanderthalis (Neanderthals) and Homo sapiens sapiens (Cro-Magnons and present-day humans). (See Linnean classification.)