monkey: Meaning and Definition of

mon•key

Pronunciation: (mung'kē), [key]
— n., pl. v., -keys, -keyed, -key•ing.
—n.
  1. any mammal of the order Primates, including the guenons, macaques, langurs, and capuchins, but excluding humans, the anthropoid apes, and, usually, the tarsier and prosimians. Cf.
  2. the fur of certain species of such long-haired animals.
  3. a person likened to such an animal, as a mischievous, agile child or a mimic.
  4. a dance, deriving from the twist, in which the partners move their hands as if climbing a pole and jerk their heads back and forth.
  5. an addiction to narcotics.
  6. any of various mechanical devices, as the ram of a pile driver.
  7. a small passageway or opening.
  8. the sum of 500 pounds.
  9. a sheep.
    1. an addiction to a drug or drugs; narcotic dependency.
    2. an enduring and often vexing habit or urge.
    3. a burdensome problem, situation, or responsibility; personal affliction or hindrance.
  10. to cause to appear ridiculous; make a fool of.
—v.i.
  1. to play or trifle idly; fool (often fol. by around or with).
—v.t.
  1. to imitate; ape; mimic.
  2. to mock.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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