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Webster 1913 Edition

Monkey

Mon′key

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Monkeys
(#)
.
[Cf. OIt.
monicchio
, It.
monnino
, dim. of
monna
an ape, also dame, mistress, contr. fr.
madonna
. See
Madonna
.]
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
(b)
Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs.
(c)
Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of apes and baboons.
☞ The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (
a
)
Catarrhines
, or
Simidae
. These have an oblong head, with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have no tail, as the apes. All these are natives of the Old World. (
b
)
Platyrhines
, or
Cebidae
. These have a round head, with a broad nasal septum, so that the nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail is often prehensile, and the thumb is short and not opposable. These are natives of the New World. (
c
)
Strepsorhines
, or
Lemuroidea
. These have a pointed head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
2.
A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the
monkey’s
own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
Shakespeare
3.
The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
4.
A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey boat
.
(Naut.)
(a)
A small boat used in docks
.
(b)
A half-decked boat used on the River Thames.
–
Monkey block
(Naut.)
,
a small single block strapped with a swivel.
R. H. Dana, Jr.
–
Monkey flower
(Bot.)
,
a plant of the genus
Mimulus
; – so called from the appearance of its gaping corolla.
Gray.
–
Monkey gaff
(Naut.)
,
a light gaff attached to the topmast for the better display of signals at sea.
–
Monkey jacket
,
a short closely fitting jacket, worn by sailors.
–
Monkey rail
(Naut.)
,
a second and lighter rail raised about six inches above the quarter rail of a ship.
–
Monkey shine
,
monkey trick.
[Slang, U.S.]
–
Monkey trick
,
a mischievous prank.
Saintsbury.
–
Monkey wheel
.
See
Gin block
, under 5th
Gin
.

Mon′key

,
Verb.
T.
&
I.
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.

Webster 1828 Edition

Monkey

MONKEY

,
Noun.
The popular name of the ape and baboon. But in zoology, monkey is more properly the name of those animals of the genus Simia, which have long tails. Ray distributes animals of this kind into three classes; apes which have no tails; monkeys with long tails; and baboons with short tails.
1.
A name of contempt or of slight kindness.

Definition 2024

Monkey

Monkey

See also: monkey

English

Proper noun

Monkey

  1. The ninth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.

monkey

monkey

See also: Monkey

English

A monkey.

Noun

monkey ‎(plural monkeys)

  1. Any member of the clade Simiiformes not also of the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, from which they are usually, but not universally, distinguished by smaller size, a tail, and cheek pouches.
    He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.
  2. (informal) Any primate, including apes.
    Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.‎
  3. (informal) A mischievous child.
    Stop misbehaving, you little monkey!‎
  4. (Britain, slang) Five hundred pounds sterling.
  5. (slang) A person or the role of the person on the sidecar platform of a motorcycle involved in sidecar racing.
  6. (slang) A person with minimal intelligence and/or an unattractive appearance
  7. (blackjack) A face card.
  8. (slang) A menial employee who does a repetitive job, as in code monkey, grease monkey, phone monkey, powder monkey.
  9. The weight or hammer of a pile driver; a heavy mass of iron, which, being raised high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
  10. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

monkey ‎(third-person singular simple present monkeys, present participle monkeying, simple past and past participle monkeyed or monkied)

  1. (informal) To meddle; to mess with; to interfere; to fiddle.
    Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.
    • 1920, Peter B. Kyne, The Understanding Heart, Chapter XII
      “As an inventor,” Bob Mason suggested, “you're a howling success at shooting craps! […] Why monkey with weak imitations when you can come close to the original?”

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Etymology

Borrowing from Middle Dutch monnekijn, or Middle Low German Moneke, name of the son of Martin the Ape in Reynard the Fox, a diminutive based off Old Spanish mona ‎(“mona monkey”), shortening of mamona, variant of maimón, perhaps through Turkish maymun ‎(“monkey”), from Arabic مَيْمُون ‎(maymūn, “fortunate, auspicious, blessed”), used to ward off the monkey's bad luck. Compare Old French Monequin.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: mŭngki, IPA(key): /ˈmʌŋki/
  • Rhymes: -ʌŋki

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