(usually capitalized) A general term for the prehistoric period intermediate between the earliest period (‘Paleo-Indian’, ‘Paleo-American’, ‘American‐paleolithic’, &c.) of human presence in the Western Hemisphere, and the most recent prehistoric period (‘Woodland’, etc.).

(paleoanthropology) (A member of) an archaic variety of Homo sapiens.

Of or characterized by antiquity; old-fashioned, quaint, antiquated.

(of words) No longer in ordinary use, though still used occasionally to give a sense of antiquity.

Belonging to the archaic period