monkey wheel

Gin \Gin\, n. [A contraction of engine.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Contrivance; artifice; a trap; a snare. --Chaucer.
      Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2.
      (a) A machine for raising or moving heavy weights,
          consisting of a tripod formed of poles united at the
          top, with a windlass, pulleys, ropes, etc.
      (b) (Mining) A hoisting drum, usually vertical; a whim.
          [1913 Webster]

   3. A machine for separating the seeds from cotton; a cotton
      gin.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The name is also given to an instrument of torture
         worked with screws, and to a pump moved by rotary
         sails.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Gin block}, a simple form of tackle block, having one wheel,
      over which a rope runs; -- called also {whip gin},
      {rubbish pulley}, and {monkey wheel}.

   {Gin power}, a form of horse power for driving a cotton gin.
      

   {Gin race}, or {Gin ring}, the path of the horse when putting
      a gin in motion. --Halliwell.

   {Gin saw}, a saw used in a cotton gin for drawing the fibers
      through the grid, leaving the seed in the hopper.

   {Gin wheel}.
      (a) In a cotton gin, a wheel for drawing the fiber through
          the grid; a brush wheel to clean away the lint.
      (b) (Mining) the drum of a whim.
          [1913 Webster]
    

Monkey \Mon"key\, n.; 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.
          [1913 Webster]

   Note: 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.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a
      mischievous child.
      [1913 Webster]

            This is the monkey's own giving out; she is
            persuaded I will marry her.           --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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}.
      [1913 Webster]