ape-bearer
English
Noun
ape-bearer (plural ape-bearers)
- (Early Modern, archaic) A person, usually a buffoon, who strolls or carries a monkey around for exhibition.
- c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 291, column 1:
- Vices I would say (Sir.) I know this man well, he hath bene since an Ape-bearer, […]