marmoset

noun

mar·​mo·​set ˈmär-mə-ˌset How to pronounce marmoset (audio)
-ˌzet
: any of numerous small soft-furred South and Central American monkeys (family Callithricidae) with claws instead of nails on all the digits except the big toe

Illustration of marmoset

Illustration of marmoset

Examples of marmoset in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Creatures great and small At Perth Zoo, species that were detected spanned in size from the pygmy marmoset to the Asian elephant. Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024 The marmoset was then taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital for immediate care. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2024 Mouse cells oscillated more quickly than rhinoceros cells, but human cells oscillated more slowly than the rhino cells, and marmoset cells had the slowest oscillations of all. Quanta Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023 The team repeatedly performed the French drop for 24 monkeys from three species– capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and marmosets. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2023 Native to Brazil, marmosets subsist on a diet of insects and the gum or sap from trees, experts say. Mitchell Willetts The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 26 Jan. 2023 Male marmosets and tamarins lose weight while carrying the young. Time, 17 June 2023 Juvenile marmosets are resilient against social isolation if they are given ayahuasca before their families are taken away. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2023 The owner of the marmoset is charged with propagation and holding of wildlife without a permit, documents show. Mitchell Willetts The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 26 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marmoset.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English marmusette kind of monkey, from Middle French marmoset grotesque figure, from marmouser to mumble, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marmoset was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near marmoset

Cite this Entry

“Marmoset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marmoset. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

marmoset

noun
mar·​mo·​set ˈmär-mə-ˌset How to pronounce marmoset (audio)
-mə-ˌzet
: any of numerous South and Central American monkeys that have soft fur, a bushy tail, and claws instead of nails except on the big toe

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