monkey

monkey [muŋ′kē]

n.

pl. monkeys [Early ModE, prob. < or akin to MLowG Moneke, name applied in the beast epic Reynard the Fox to the son of Martin the Ape < Fr or Sp mona, ape < ? Ar maimūn, ape, lit., lucky (euphemism: the ape was regarded as the devil) + LowG -ke, -KIN]

1.

a) any of several families of Old and New World primates usually having a flat, hairless face and a long tail

b) loosely any of other, similar primates, as a gibbon or chimpanzee

2. the fur of some species of long-haired monkeys

3. a person regarded as somehow like a monkey, as a mischievous or imitative child

4. any of various mechanical devices, as the iron block raised and dropped in a pile driver

vi.

☆ Informal to play, fool, trifle, or meddle: often followed by around, with, or around with

vt.

Rare to mimic; ape

to mimic; ape

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☆ a monkey on one's back Slang

1. addiction to a drug

2. any trying, burdensome obsession, problem, etc.

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☆ make a monkey out of or make a monkey of

to make appear foolish or laughable