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)
- Of or pertaining to apes and monkeys.
- 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
of or pertaining to apes
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resembling an ape
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Noun
simian (plural simians)
- 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
- (ape or monkey): anthropoid, ape, monkey, primate
Translations
an ape or monkey
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Anagrams
Esperanto
Adjective
simian
- accusative singular of simia
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French simien. By surface analysis, simie + -an.
Noun
simian m (plural simieni)