[hoh-moh i-rek-tuh
s] 
| 1. | an extinct species of the human lineage, formerly known as Pithecanthropus erectus, having upright stature and a well-evolved postcranial skeleton, but with a smallish brain, low forehead, and protruding face. |
| 2. | a fossil belonging to this species. |
| Ho·mo e·rec·tus (hō'mō ĭ-rěk'təs) n. An extinct species of humans, regarded as an ancestor of Homo sapiens. [New Latin Homō ērēctus, species name : Latin homō, man + Latin ērēctus, upright.] |
An early ancestor of the human species that lived from about 1.8 million to 250,000 years ago. Homo erectus remains have been found in Africa, China, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Homo erectus developed a cooperative hunting organization and the use of fire and may have had a spoken language.
