squirrel monkey

noun

1. either of two small, long-tailed monkeys, Saimiri oerstedii of Central America and S. sciureus of South America, having a small white face with black muzzle and gold, brown, or greenish fur: S. oerstedii is endangered.

squirrel monkey

noun

1. a small New World monkey, Saimiri sciureus , of N South American forests, having a yellowish-green coat and orange feet and limbs
2. red-backed squirrel monkey
   a related species, Saimiri oerstedi , of Central America, having a reddish coat and dark brown limbs

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel monkey¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel monkey¹

C18: so called because it is small and tree-dwelling

Example Sentences

For something a little wilder, you can adopt a group of squirrel monkeys known to raid the refuge’s food supply.

From Washington Post

It was a beautiful little creature—a true saïmiri, or squirrel-monkey, called the “titi.”

From Project Gutenberg

Tamarin, tam′a-rin, n. a small South American squirrel-monkey.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a beautiful little creature—a true saimiri, or squirrel monkey, called the “titi.”

From Project Gutenberg