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monkey

ˈməŋ-kē 2 syllables common

  1. noun. a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers; especially: any of the smaller longer-tailed catarrhine or platyrrhine primates as contrasted with the apes

  2. noun. a person resembling a monkey

  3. noun. a ludicrous figure: dupe —often used in the phrase make a monkey out of

  4. verb. mimic, mock

  5. verb. to act in a grotesque or mischievous manner

  6. verb. fool, trifle —often used with around

Origin

probably of Low German origin; akin to Moneke, name of an ape, probably of Romance origin; akin to Old Spanish mona monkey.

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