ape

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ape / āp/ • n. a large primate (families Pongidae and Hylobatidae) that lacks a tail, including the gorilla, chimpanzees, orangutan, and gibbons. See also great ape, gibbon. ∎  used in names of macaque monkeys with short tails, e.g., Barbary ape. ∎  (in general use) any monkey. ∎  an unintelligent or clumsy person.• v. [tr.] imitate the behavior or manner of (someone or something), esp. in an absurd or unthinking way.PHRASES: go ape inf. express wild excitement or anger.

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