The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (a) Catarrhines, or Simidæ. These have an oblong
head, with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have no tail, as the apes. All these are natives
of the Old World. (b) Platyrhines, or Cebidæ. These have a round head, with a broad nasal septum,
so that the nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail is often prehensile, and the thumb
is short and not opposable. These are natives of the New World. (c) Strepsorhines, or Lemuroidea.
These have a pointed head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
Shak. 3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on
high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used
in forging.
4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey boat. (Naut.) (a) A small boat used in docks. (b) A half- decked boat used on the River
Thames. — Monkey block (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a swivel. R. H. Dana, Jr. —
Monkey flower (Bot.), a plant of the genus Mimulus; — so called from the appearance of its gaping
corolla. Gray. — Monkey gaff (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast for the better display of
signals at sea. — Monkey jacket, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by sailors. — Monkey rail (Naut.),
a second and lighter rail raised about six inches above the quarter rail of a ship. — Monkey shine,
monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.] — Monkey trick, a mischievous prank. Saintsbury. — Monkey wheel.
See Gin block, under 5th Gin. — Monkey wrench, a wrench or spanner having a movable jaw.
Monkey
(Mon"key), v. t. & i. To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome
manner.
To monkey with, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.]
Monkey-bread
(Mon"key-bread`) n. (Bot.) The fruit of the Adansonia digitata; also, the tree. See Adansonia.
Monkey-cup
(Mon"key-cup`) n. (Bot.) See Nepenthes.
Monkey-pot
(Mon"key-pot`) n. (Zoöl.) The fruit of two South American trees which have for their fruit
large, pot-shaped, woody capsules containing delicious nuts, and opening almost explosively by a circular
lid at the top. Vases and pots are made of this capsule.
Monkey's puzzle
(Mon"key's puz"zle) (Bot.) A lofty coniferous Chilian tree the branches of which are so
crowded and intertwisted "as to puzzle a monkey to climb." The edible nuts are over an inch long, and
are called piñon by the Chilians.
Monkeytail
(Mon"key*tail`) n. (Naut.) A short, round iron bar or lever used in naval gunnery. Totten.
Monkfish
(Monk"fish) n. (Zoöl.) (a) The angel fish (b) The angler
Monkflower
(Monk"flow`er) n. (Bot.) A name of certain curious orchids which bear three kinds of flowers
formerly referred to three genera, but now ascertained to be sexually different forms of the same genus
(Catasetum tridentatum, etc.).
Monkhood
(Monk"hood) n. [Monk + - hood.]
1. The character or condition of a monk. Atterbury.
2. Monks, regarded collectively. Longfellow.
