Negroid

Negroid (also known as Congoid) is a term that is used by forensic and physical anthropologists to refer to individuals and populations that share certain morphological and skeletal traits that are frequent among most populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The term is commonly associated with notions of racial typology, which are disputed by many anthropologists.

First introduced in early racial science and anthropometry, the taxon has traditionally been used to denote one of the three proposed major races (Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid) of humans.Negroid as a biological classification remains in use, particularly within the field of forensic anthropology.

Etymology

Negroid has both Latin and Ancient Greek etymological roots. It literally translates as "black resemblance" from negro (black), and οειδές -oeidēs, equivalent to -o- + είδες -eidēs "having the form of", derivative of είδος eîdos "form". The earliest recorded use of the term "Negroid" came in 1859. In modern usage, it is associated with populations that on the whole possess the suite of typical Negroid physical characteristics.