monkey

mon·key   (mŭng'kē)    n.   pl. mon·keys Any of various long-tailed, medium-sized members of the order Primates, including the macaques, baboons, guenons, capuchins, marmosets, and tamarins and excluding the anthropoid apes and the prosimians. One who behaves in a way suggestive of a monkey, as a mischievous child or a mimic. The iron block of a pile driver. Slang A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool: They made a monkey out of him. Slang Drug addiction: have a monkey on one's back. v.   mon·keyed, mon·key·ing, mon·keys v.   intr. Informal To play, fiddle, trifle, or tamper with something. To behave in a mischievous or apish manner: Stop monkeying around! v.   tr. To imitate or mimic; ape. [Origin unknown.]

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.

monkey 

Main Entry: mon·key
Pronunciation: 'm&[ng]-kE
Function: noun
: a nonhuman primate mammal with the exception usually of the lemurs and tarsiers;especially : any of the smaller longer-tailed primates as contrasted with the apes

monkey

In addition to the idioms beginning with monkey, also see fool (monkey) around; make a fool (monkey) of; more fun than a barrel of monkeys; throw a monkey wrench.