Dictionary

1ape

noun \ˈāp\

: a type of animal (such as a chimpanzee or gorilla) that is closely related to monkeys and humans and that is covered in hair and has no tail or a very short tail

: a large and stupid or rude person

Full Definition of APE

1
a :  monkey; especially :  one of the larger tailless or short-tailed Old World forms
b :  any of various large tailless semierect primates of Africa and southeastern Asia (as the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon) —called also anthropoid, anthropoid ape — compare great ape
2
a :  mimic
b :  a large uncouth person
ape·like \ˈāp-ˌlīk\ adjective
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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

2ape

verb

: to copy or imitate (something or someone)

apedap·ing

Full Definition of APE

transitive verb
:  to copy closely but often clumsily and ineptly
ap·er noun

First Known Use of APE

1632

Synonym Discussion of APE

copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean to make something so that it resembles an existing thing. copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible <copied the painting and sold the fake as an original>. imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may allow for some variation <imitate a poet's style>. mimic implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation <pupils mimicking their teacher>. ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish, or inept imitating of a superior original <American fashion designers aped their European colleagues>. mock usually implies imitation with derision <mocking a vain man's pompous manner>.

3ape

adjective

Definition of APE

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

First Known Use of APE

1955
APER Defined for Kids

1ape

noun \ˈāp\

Definition of APE for Kids

:  any of a group of tailless animals (as gorillas or chimpanzees) that are primates most closely related to humans
ape·like \ˈāp-ˌlīk\ adjective

2ape

verb
apedap·ing

Definition of APE for Kids

:  to imitate (someone) awkwardly <He apes the styles of his favorite actor.>
Medical Dictionary

ape

noun \ˈāp\

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

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