titi

¹

[ tee-tee ]

noun

, plural ti·tis.

1. any of various small reddish or grayish monkeys of the genus Callicebus, of South America.

titi

²

[ tee-tee, tahy-tahy ]

noun

, plural ti·tis.

1. a shrub or small tree of the southern U.S., Cliftonia monophylla black titi, having glossy leaves and elongated clusters of fragrant white flowers.

titi

¹

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. any of several small omnivorous New World monkeys of the genus Callicebus, of South America, having long beautifully coloured fur and a long nonprehensile tail

titi

²

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. the sooty shearwater, Puffinus griseus See muttonbird

titi

³

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. any of various evergreen shrubs or small trees of the family Cyrillaceae of the southern US, esp the leatherwood and Cliftonia monophylla, which has white or pinkish fragrant flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of titi¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30, from Latin American Spanish, from Tupi

Origin of titi²

First recorded in 1820–30; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of titi¹

via Spanish from Aymaran, literally: little cat

Origin of titi²

Māori, of imitative origin

Origin of titi³

C19: of American Indian origin

Example Sentences

Earlier this year, Reuters reported for the first time that scientists were finding mammals, from titi monkeys to ocelots, showing signs of mercury contamination near a Peruvian gold mining hotspot.

From Reuters

Their data showed mercury contamination from informal gold mining making its way into the biodiversity hotspot's mammals — from rodents to ocelots to titi monkeys.

From Reuters

Since the meerkat deaths, the zoo has ceased using the dye on small animals like titi monkeys and lemurs, Ms. Metz said.

From New York Times

They were a western lowland gorilla, a white-eared titi monkey and two emperor tamarins.

From Washington Post

“Because your titi can’t watch you kids. And I have to work, so I can’t stay home and take care of you.”

From Literature