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Paleolithic

adjectivePronunciation: /ˌpeɪ.li.əˈlɪθ.ɪk/

In Portuguese: paleolítico

What does “Paleolithic” mean?

Relating to the Old Stone Age, the earliest and longest period of human prehistory, marked by chipped stone tools and, in its later phase, by the first cave paintings.

Etymology

An English formation from two Greek-derived combining forms: paleo-, from Greek palaios (old, ancient), and -lithic, from Greek lithos (stone). Together they describe the Old Stone Age, the earliest and longest period of human prehistory. The term was coined in English in the nineteenth century to give scientific names to the main divisions of prehistoric human culture defined by tool-making materials.

Usage note

The Paleolithic era is conventionally divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper periods, each associated with advances in tool-making. Its end is marked by the transition to the Neolithic, when polished stone tools and agriculture appeared.

Synonyms

  • Stone Age
  • prehistoric

Word family

  • paleontology
  • paleographer
  • paleoclimatology
  • paleoanthropology

Rhymes with

  • mythic

Usage examples

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

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Also from these editions: concepts

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Cite this entry

“Paleolithic”. Agency Wiki, Agency Brasil. Published on November 11, 2026. https://www.agencybrasil.com/en/wiki/dictionary/paleolithic