chimpanzee

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

The first recorded use of the name chimpanzee dates to 1738. The name is derived from an unspecified Bantu language of Angola (compare Vili ci-mpenzi), probably brought to the English language via French chimpanzé.[1]

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /t͡ʃɪmˈpæn.zi/, /ˌt͡ʃɪm.pənˈziː/, /ˌt͡ʃɪm.pænˈziː/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

chimpanzee (plural chimpanzees)

  1. Pan troglodytes, a species of great ape native to the savannas and forests of Africa, and believed by biologists to be the closest extant relative to humans along with the bonobo.
    Synonym: chimp
    Hyponyms: blackback, silverback
    Holonym: chimpkind
  2. (loosely) A member of the genus Pan, including the bonobo which was formerly known as the pygmy chimpanzee.

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