Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Macaco


Ma-ca′co

,
Noun.
[Cf. Pg.
macaco
.]
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of lemurs, as the ruffed lemur (
Lemur macaco
), and the ring-tailed lemur (
Lemur catta
).

Definition 2024


macaco

macaco

English

Noun

macaco (plural macacos)

  1. A macaque, or similar monkey.

Etymology 2

From French mococo, probably ultimately from Malagasy maka, maki (lemur).

Noun

macaco (plural macacos)

  1. (obsolete) Any of several species of lemurs.

Alternative forms


Italian

Noun

macaco m (plural macachi)

  1. macaque
  2. fool, dunce

Portuguese

Macaco

Etymology

Unknown. Generally thought to have been borrowed from a language of the Congo region. Specifically, it may derive from a word containing the prefix ma- or mu-, which indicates plurality, singularity or collectivity in several Bantu languages. Other suggested derivations include:

  • from a language of Madagascar;
  • from an American language:
    • from Galibi Carib macaca (simian), though it may have been loaned into Galibi from a language of African slaves;
    • from Old Tupi makaka (monkey);
  • from dialectal French macao (cat; monkey; long-tailed monkey), allegedly used in Normandy and Berry.

[1]

Pronunciation

  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /ma.ˈka.kʊ/
  • (South Brazil) IPA(key): /ma.ˈka.ko/
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /mɐ.ˈka.ku/
  • Hyphenation: ma‧ca‧co
  • Rhymes: -aku

Noun

macaco m (plural macacos)

  1. monkey, ape
  2. mechanical jack
  3. (derogatory) black

Synonyms

Descendants

Derived terms

References

  1. 1955, Antenor Nascentes, Dicionário etimológico da língua portuguesa, 2nd print

Spanish

Etymology

From Portuguese macaco.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /maˈkako/

Noun

macaco m (plural macacos)

  1. macaque
  2. hobgoblin, bogeyman
  3. (South America, pejorative) Brazilian

Adjective

macaco m (feminine singular macaca, masculine plural macacos, feminine plural macacas)

  1. (slang) ugly, misshapen, deformed, squat