ape

¹ape

noun \ˈāp\

Definition of APE

1

a : monkey; especially : one of the larger tailless or short-tailed Old World forms

b : any of two families (Pongidae and Hylobatidae) of large tailless semierect primates (as the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon) —called also anthropoid, anthropoid ape

2

a : mimic

b : a large uncouth person

— ape·like \ˈāp-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of APE

1. Her boyfriend's some big ape she met at a party.

Origin of APE

Middle English, from Old English apa; akin to Old High German affo ape

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with APE

cape, chape, crape, crepe, drape, gape, grape, jape, nape, rape, scape, scrape, shape, tape

²ape

transitive verb

apedap·ing

Definition of APE

: to copy closely but often clumsily and ineptly

— ap·er noun

Examples of APE

1. She apes the speech and manners of the rich.
2. <was caught aping the substitute teacher's thick accent>

First Known Use of APE

1632

Related to APE

Synonyms

imitate, copy, copycat, emulate, mime, mimic

Related Words

ditto, echo, reecho, repeat; burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, parody, travesty; impersonate, perform, play; pantomime

See Synonym Discussion at copy

³ape

adjective

Definition of APE

: crazy, wild —usually used in the phrase go ape

First Known Use of APE

circa 1955

ape

noun \ˈāp\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of APE

1

: monkey; especially : one of the larger tailless or short-tailed Old World forms

2

: any of the large tailless semierect primates (as the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon) that comprise two primate families (Pongidae and Hylobatidae)—called also anthropoid, anthropoid ape

ape

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the tailless primates known as the lesser apes (gibbons and siamangs; family Hylobatidae) or the great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas; family Hominidae). Apes are found in the tropical forests of western and central Africa and South Asia. They are distinguished from monkeys by having no tail, having an appendix, and having a more complex brain. Apes typically move about by swinging or knuckle-walking, though they are capable of standing erect and occasionally walk on two feet. Highly intelligent animals, apes are very closely related to humans, who are also categorized by zoologists as members of Hominidae. As a result of habitat destruction and hunting, all the apes are now regarded as endangered.