gorilla
/ɡəˈrɪlə/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
gorillai — a tribe of hairy people
Overview
Meaning Now
- A heavily built, anthropoid ape of the genus Gorilla, native to the forests of central Africa.
- A person who is physically powerful or who acts as a ruffian or bodyguard.
Language path
Ancient Greek → English
Earliest form
gorilla
Earliest period
1847
Journey
The term originates from the 'Periplus of Hanno', a Greek explorer's account of his voyage along the West African coast around 500 BCE. He encountered a group of 'hairy people' his interpreters called 'gorillai'. In 1847, American missionary Thomas S. Savage and anatomist Jeffries Wyman used the term to name the genus of the great ape, linking the ancient account to the species, though it is now believed Hanno likely encountered baboons or chimpanzees.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek (c. 5th century BCE)
gorillai
“a tribe of hairy women described by Hanno the Navigator”
Hanno's account of his voyage along the African coast.
- English (1847)
gorilla
“a genus of great apes”
Adopted by naturalists to describe the great ape discovered in West Africa.
Connections
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.