simian

This term carries a clinical or biological tone, often used in scientific contexts to describe primates. When applied to humans, it typically suggests a physical resemblance to an ape, which can range from a neutral anatomical description to a derogatory implication of being primitive or uncivilized. As a noun, the word functions as a formal taxonomic label. It is used primarily in zoology and anthropology to categorize a broad group of primates, distinguishing them from prosimians like lemurs.