capuchin

[ kap-yoo-chin, -shin ]

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. (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.

Capuchin

¹

/ 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

capuchin

²

/ -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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capuchin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capuchin¹

C16: from French; see capuche

Origin of capuchin²

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

Example Sentences

She currently studies cooperation and other social behaviors in capuchin monkeys.

From Science Daily

They even observed groups of capuchins traveling from one forest fragment to another, a sign that they’ve adapted to short bursts of time in the human-dominated parts of the landscape.

From Salon

The authors point out that New Caledonian crows, Goffin's cockatoos, woodpecker finches, bearded capuchins, bottlenose dolphins, orangutans, gorillas and sea otters can also use tools flexibly.

From Salon

Some, like the spider monkey, effortlessly swing through branches, while others, like the capuchin, display remarkable problem-solving abilities.

From Salon

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

From New York Times