neolithic, a. Archæol.
(niːəʊˈlɪθɪk)
[f. Gr. νέος new (see neo-) + λίθος stone. Hence F. néolithique.]
Of or belonging to the later stone age, characterized by the use of ground or polished stone implements and weapons.
| 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times i. 3 The later or polished Stone age; a period characterized by beautiful weapons and instruments made of flint and other kinds of stone... This we may call the ‘Neolithic’ period. 1874 Dawkins Cave Hunt. vi. 189 This ancient neolithic race of men. 1880 ― Early Man in Brit. i. 5 The lower Neolithic civilisation, characterised by the use of polished stone. |
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Add: b. In extended use, pejoratively: belonging to a former era; hopelessly outdated and unsophisticated. Cf. stone age n. b.
| 1934 [implied in neolithically adv. below.] 1940 A. Huxley Let. 24 Apr. (1969) 452 All languages embody fossilized neolithic metaphysics. 1975 Economist 29 Nov. 15/1 A first-past-the-post system will be more likely to place the assembly in the sometimes corrupt, often comatose and always neolithic hands of the Clydeside Labour party. 1977 Business Week 19 Dec. 6/3 Policies that were so Neolithic they created an antibusiness atmosphere as well as inflation and a recession. |
Hence neoˈlithically adv.
| 1934 A. Huxley Beyond Mexique Bay 299 A baroque theme interpreted by neolithically minded craftsmen. |