Neolithic

[ nee-uh-lith-ik ]
/ ˌni əˈlɪθ ɪk /

adjective

(sometimes lowercase) Anthropology. of, relating to, or characteristic of the last phase of the Stone Age, marked by the domestication of animals, the development of agriculture, and the manufacture of pottery and textiles: commonly thought to have begun c9000–8000 b.c. in the Middle East. Compare Mesolithic, Paleolithic.
(usually lowercase) belonging to or remaining from an earlier era; outdated; passé.

Origin of Neolithic

First recorded in 1860–65; neo- + -lithic

OTHER WORDS FROM Neolithic

pre·ne·o·lith·ic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for neolithic

British Dictionary definitions for neolithic

Neolithic
/ (ˌniːəʊˈlɪθɪk) /

noun

the cultural period that lasted in SW Asia from about 9000 to 6000 bc and in Europe from about 4000 to 2400 bc and was characterized by primitive crop growing and stock rearing and the use of polished stone and flint tools and weapons

adjective

relating to this period

Scientific definitions for neolithic

Neolithic
[ nē′ə-lĭthĭk ]

The period of human culture that began around 10,000 years ago in the Middle East and later in other parts of the world. It is characterized by the beginning of farming, the domestication of animals, the development of crafts such as pottery and weaving, and the making of polished stone tools. The Neolithic Period is generally considered to end for any particular region with the introduction of metalworking, writing, or other developments of urban civilization. Also called New Stone Age Compare Mesolithic Paleolithic.