from the French; same spelling 1. A characteristic quality or trait of any organism with a level of extrinsic complexity that rises to the point of forming a discreet and evolving, however slowly, aspect of distinctive culturally created structure. 2. the discreet organism itself. 3. a characteristic artifact or complete structure deemed to be created or distinctively modified by an organism(s) at the required level of cultural advancement for qualification as a (2) see above.
The Aborigine, nearly naked except for a blanket and a throwing stick, represented a deeply ancient ethnotype, as did the tune he whistled or as the intricately carved stick in his hand.