troglodytic

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin troglodyticus, Ancient Greek τρωγλοδυτικός (trōglodutikós, of cave-/hole-dwellers) from τρωγλοδύτης (trōglodútēs, cave-/hole-dweller) from τρώγλη (trṓglē, hole) + δύω (dúō, enter, go into), equivalent to troglodyte +‎ -ic.

Adjective

troglodytic (comparative more troglodytic, superlative most troglodytic)

  1. Of or pertaining to troglodytes, or dwellers in caves.
    Synonym: troglodytish
  2. Like or befitting a troglodyte; brutish, backwards, etc.
    • 1886, Robert Louis Stevensony, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde:
      "There is something more, if I could find a name for it. God bless me, the man seems hardly human! Something troglodytic, shall we say? or can it be the old story of Dr. Fell? or is it the mere radiance of a foul soul that thus transpires through, and transfigures, its clay continent? The last, I think; for, O my poor old Harry Jekyll, if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend.”
    • 1980 December 27, Ray Olson, “Spreading The Word”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 23, page 5:
      You have my thanks for not closing debate in Community Voices, so that the late but thoughtful and intelligent contributions to a controversy isn't squelched. I've found this usually means clawing one's way through mounds of troglodytic gay male misogyny and an occasional off-the-wall lesbian interpretation of gay male sexuality, but it's worth it.