simian

See also: sìmiàn

English

WOTD – 29 July 2008

Etymology

From Latin sīmia (ape, monkey), from Ancient Greek σιμός (simós, snub-nosed).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈsɪm.i.ən/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Adjective

simian (comparative more simian, superlative most simian)

  1. Of or pertaining to apes and monkeys.
  2. Bearing resemblance to an ape or monkey; apelike or monkeylike.
    • 2008 March 27, Roslyn Sulcas, “Exotica of Brazil in Motion”, in New York Times[1]:
      In “Benguelê” (which refers to slaves’ nostalgic longing for Africa) he makes extensive use of crouching, stooped bodies in a simian, loping walk, arms hanging loosely and head down to suggest tribal dances, rituals, animals, a precivilization.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

simian (plural simians)

  1. An ape or monkey, especially an anthropoid (infraorder Simiiformes).
    • 1959, H. G. Coulter, Time for Rebellion: A Play and Preface, page 14:
      The simians would require no special orientation courses to teach them the reasons for fighting, such as, “To make the world safe for Demagocracy,” or whatnot.

Synonyms

Translations

Anagrams

Esperanto

Adjective

simian

  1. accusative singular of simia

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French simien. By surface analysis, simie +‎ -an.

Noun

simian m (plural simieni)

  1. simian

Declension

Declension of simian
singular plural
indefinite definite indefinite definite
nominative-accusative simian simianul simieni simienii
genitive-dative simian simianului simieni simienilor
vocative simianule simienilor