from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ape \Ape\ ([=a]p), n. [AS. apa; akin to D. aap, OHG. affo, G.
affe, Icel. api, Sw. apa, Dan. abe, W. epa.]
1. (Zool.) A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family
{Simiad[ae]}, having teeth of the same number and form as
in man, and possessing neither a tail nor cheek pouches.
The name is applied esp. to species of the genus
{Hylobates}, and is sometimes used as a general term for
all Quadrumana. The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee,
and ourang, are often called {anthropoid apes} or {man
apes}.
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Note: The ape of the Old Testament was probably the rhesus
monkey of India, and allied forms.
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2. One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of
the ape); a mimic. --Byron.
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3. A dupe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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