Monkey Definition
mŭngkē
monkeyed, monkeying, monkeys
noun
monkeys
Any of several families of Old and New World primates usually having a flat, hairless face and a long tail.
Webster's New World
Any of other, similar primates, as a gibbon or chimpanzee.
Webster's New World
A nonhuman ape. Not in scientific use.
American Heritage Medicine
The fur of some species of long-haired monkeys.
Webster's New World
A person regarded as somehow like a monkey, as a mischievous or imitative child.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
monkeying
To play, fool, trifle, or meddle.
Webster's New World
To behave in a mischievous or apish manner.
Stop monkeying around!
American Heritage
To imitate or mimic; ape.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
idiom
monkey on one's back
- An addiction to a drug.
- An object of persistent worry or obsession.
American Heritage
a monkey on one's back
- addiction to a drug
- any trying, burdensome obsession, problem, etc.
Webster's New World
make a monkey (out) of
- to make appear foolish or laughable
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Monkey
- monkey on one's back
- a monkey on one's back
- make a monkey (out) of
Origin of Monkey
-
From Middle Low German Moneke (compare Old French Monequin), name of the son of Martin the Ape in Reynard the Fox, from Old Spanish mona 'mona monkey', shortening of mamona, variant of maimón, from Arabic ميمون (maimūn) 'monkey', literally 'blessed', used to ward off the monkey's bad luck.
From Wiktionary
Origin unknown
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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