Washoe

[ wosh-oh, waw-shoh ]

noun

1. 1965–2007, female chimpanzee: first ape trained to communicate with humans by means of a sign language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Washoe¹

Named after Washoe County, in northwest Nevada, where the chimpanzee was raised

Example Sentences

He found there a number of friends from Washoe, including the Rev. Mr. Rising, whose health had failed from overwork.

From Project Gutenberg

We reached Washoe with our very marrows almost burnt out by sleeplessness, sickness, and agony of mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither the gold reaches of Colorado nor the silver-bearing "leads" of the Washoe district had as yet been discovered.

From Project Gutenberg

Children are invariably welcomed and made much of at birth, though it is seldom a Washoe woman has more than four or five babies.

From Project Gutenberg

A friend of mine was out with a Washoe Indian whose boy was along on his first hunting expedition.

From Project Gutenberg