chimpanzee

[ chim-pan-zee, chim-pan-zee ]

noun

1. a very social great ape of sub-Saharan Africa, belonging to the genus Pan and having a brown-to-black coat, a relatively hairless face with a rounded muzzle, prominent ears, and hands adapted for knuckle-walking, and noted for its intelligence and humanlike behavior: both species, the common chimpanzee ( P. troglodytes ) and the bonobo ( P. paniscus ), are greatly reduced in number and considered endangered.

chimpanzee

/ ˌtʃɪmpænˈziː /

noun

1. a gregarious and intelligent anthropoid ape, Pan troglodytes, inhabiting forests in central W Africa

Word History and Origins

Origin of chimpanzee¹

First recorded in 1730–40; origin uncertain; possibly from Vili , a Bantu language spoken on the Atlantic coast between southern Gabon and northern Angola

Word History and Origins

Origin of chimpanzee¹

C18: from Kongo dialect

Example Sentences

Only liberals are interested in listening to this "tone it down" advice, but when your opposition is coming at you with the fury of a deranged chimpanzee, turning the other cheek only gets you killed.

From Salon

“It is not plausible that, even with improved typing speeds or an increase in chimpanzee populations, monkey labour will ever be a viable tool for developing non-trivial written works,” the study says.

From BBC

“It’s amazing how well Tonka is doing,” says the head of the Florida animal sanctuary where the chimpanzee now lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Though caretakers had set up a cozy space filled with hammocks and blankets for the chimpanzee, upon arrival at his new home — an ape sanctuary on Florida’s Treasure Coast — he eschewed this private room.

From Los Angeles Times

Because Tonka was owned by a chimpanzee breeder, Tavares suspects he has numerous children; his paternal relationship to the two apes at Save the Chimps was established through information gathered from past breeders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ape
• baboon
• gorilla
• lemur
• orangutan