hamadryas baboon

noun

hama·dry·as baboon ˌha-mə-ˈdrī-əs-

: a baboon (Papio hamadryas) that has a reddish-pink muzzle and a large bare patch of pink skin on each buttock and that was venerated by the ancient Egyptians

called also sacred baboon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The remains belong to a hamadryas baboon discovered by 19th century archaeologists in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. —

Colin Barras, Science | AAAS, 15 Dec. 2020 At California’s Oakland Zoo, a troop of hamadryas baboons seemed listless, with many of them in hiding at the height of a partial eclipse there that darkened the skies like sunset. —

Robert Lee Hotz, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hamadryas baboon.' 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

New Latin hamadryas, from Latin

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hamadryas baboon was circa 1890

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hamadryas baboon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamadryas%20baboon. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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