monkey
/ˈmʌŋki/
noun
Origin
Middle Low German
Moneke — a name (diminutive of a proper name)
Overview
Meaning Now
- A primate of any group that are not prosimians or apes, typically having long tails.
- A mischievous or playful person, especially a child.
Language path
Middle Low German → Middle English → English
Earliest form
monke
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term likely entered English through the popularity of the 'Reynard the Fox' cycle of animal fables. In these stories, characters were personified animals with distinct names. 'Moneke' was the name assigned to the son of Martin the Ape, and this name eventually became the generic term for the animal itself in Middle Low German and subsequently English.
Evolution
- 16th century Middle Low German
Moneke
“proper name (of an ape in fables)”
- 16th century English
monke
“a monkey”
Appearance in literature indicates adoption as a common noun.
- 17th century English
monkey
“a primate”
Connections
Word parts
monkey
root
monkey
Related across languages
Low German
Moneke
monkey
Explore next
Related to monkey
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.