capuchin

[ kap-yoo-chin, -shin ]
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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.

  1. a hooded cloak for women.

  2. (initial capital letter)Also called Friar Minor Capuchin. Roman Catholic Church. a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity.: Compare Friar Minor, Friar Minor Conventual.

Origin of capuchin

1
1590–1600; <Middle French <Italian cappuccino, equivalent to cappucc(io) capuche + -ino-ine1
  • Also called ringtail monkey (for defs. 1, 2).

Words Nearby capuchin

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How to use capuchin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for capuchin (1 of 2)

capuchin

/ (ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn, -ʃɪn) /


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

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

Origin of capuchin

1
C16: from French, from Italian cappuccino, from cappuccio hood; see capuche

British Dictionary definitions for Capuchin (2 of 2)

Capuchin

/ (ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn, ˈkæpjʊʃɪn) /


noun
    • a friar belonging to a strict and autonomous branch of the Franciscan order founded in 1525

    • (as modifier): a Capuchin friar

Origin of Capuchin

2
C16: from French; see capuche

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012