ETYM Latin troglodytae, pl., Greek, one who creeps into holes; troglee a hole, cavern + dyein enter: cf. French troglodyte.
1. One of a primitive race that dwells in caves, instead of constructing dwellings; a cave dweller. Most of the primitive races of man were troglodytes.
2. An anthropoid ape, as the chimpanzee.
3. Greek term for a cave dweller, designating certain peoples in the ancient world. The troglodytes of S Egypt and Ethiopia were a pastoral people.
4. Cave-dweller.