The human race as it existed before written historical accounts, personified as an individual; (more generally) the human race as it existed a very long time ago.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Anthropological Review.
Definition of prehistoric man in US English:
prehistoric man
noun
The human race as it existed before written historical accounts, personified as an individual; (more generally) the human race as it existed a very long time ago.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Anthropological Review.