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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.