Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

monkeysmore about monkeys

monkeys

 

  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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.  (Zo["o]l.) 
  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. 
 
  Note:  The  monkeys  are  often  divided  into  three  groups:  ({a}) 
  {Catarrhines},  or  {Simid[ae]}.  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  {Cebid[ae]}. 
  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. 
 
  2.  A  term  of  disapproval,  ridicule,  or  contempt,  as  for  a 
  mischievous  child. 
 
  This  is  the  monkey's  own  giving  out  she  is 
  persuaded  I  will  marry  her  --Shak. 
 
  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. 
 
  4.  A  small  trading  vessel  of  the  sixteenth  century. 
 
  {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}. 
 
  {Monkey  wrench},  a  wrench  or  spanner  having  a  movable  jaw.




more about monkeys