capuchin

American  

[kap-yoo-chin, -shin] / ˈkæp yʊ tʃɪn, -ʃɪn /

noun

1. a Central and South American monkey, Cebus capucinus, having a prehensile tail and hair on the head resembling a cowl.

2. any monkey of the genus Cebus.

3. a hooded cloak for women.

4. Also called Friar Minor Capuchin.  (initial capital letter) a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity.

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Capuchin ¹ British  

/ ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn, ˈkæpjʊʃɪn /

noun

1. 1. a friar belonging to a strict and autonomous branch of the Franciscan order founded in 1525

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Capuchin friar

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capuchin ² British  

/ -ʃɪn, ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn /

noun

1. any agile intelligent New World monkey of the genus Cebus, inhabiting forests in South America, typically having a cowl of thick hair on the top of the head

2. a woman's hooded cloak

3. (sometimes capital) a rare variety of domestic fancy pigeon

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Etymology

Origin of capuchin

1590–1600; < Middle French < Italian cappuccino, equivalent to cappucc ( io ) capuche + -ino -ine ¹

Example Sentences

The immune performance of wild capuchin monkeys declines when the animals experience higher temperatures, and younger monkeys seem to be particularly vulnerable to heat, according to a University of Michigan study.

From Science Daily • Nov. 29, 2024

If a species is a generalist, able to adapt to its circumstances — think about the racoons or deer in your suburban neighborhood, or the capuchin in this study — it may need less help.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024

In one famous experiment, researchers trained two capuchin monkeys to hand them tokens in exchange for a cucumber snack.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2023

But if you visit three capuchin monkeys in Los Angeles, they’ll show you how beneficial their liaisons are.

From Scientific American • Sep. 4, 2023

The signora, who, in presence of a capuchin, had studied her actions and her words, thought no longer of putting a restraint on them before an inexperienced country girl.

From The Betrothed From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni by Manzoni, Alessandro