capuchin

[kap-yoo-chin, -shin]

noun

1. a Central and South American monkey, Cebus capucinus, having a prehensile tail and hair on the head resembling a cowl.

2. any monkey of the genus Cebus.

3. a hooded cloak for women.

4. Also called Friar Minor Capuchin. (initial capital letter),  a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity.

Capuchin

¹

/ ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn, ˈkæpjʊʃɪn /

noun

1. 1. a friar belonging to a strict and autonomous branch of the Franciscan order founded in 1525

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Capuchin friar

capuchin

²

/ -ʃɪn, ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn /

noun

1. any agile intelligent New World monkey of the genus Cebus, inhabiting forests in South America, typically having a cowl of thick hair on the top of the head

2. a woman's hooded cloak

3. (sometimes capital) a rare variety of domestic fancy pigeon

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capuchin¹

1590–1600; < Middle French < Italian cappuccino, equivalent to cappucc ( io ) capuche + -ino -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capuchin¹

C16: from French; see _capuche

Origin of Capuchin²

C16: from French, from Italian cappuccino, from cappuccio hood; see _capuche

Example Sentences

The immune performance of wild capuchin monkeys declines when the animals experience higher temperatures, and younger monkeys seem to be particularly vulnerable to heat, according to a University of Michigan study.

From Science Daily

These tools may help them get at many questions surrounding capuchin monkey behavior, including how they decide whether to cooperate or compete with one another while they are interacting in their natural world.

From Science Daily

She currently studies cooperation and other social behaviors in capuchin monkeys.

From Science Daily

If a species is a generalist, able to adapt to its circumstances — think about the racoons or deer in your suburban neighborhood, or the capuchin in this study — it may need less help.

From Salon

Another study — this one published last year in the journal Current Biology — involved scientists performing a magic trick known as the "French drop effect" in front of three types of monkeys: common marmosets, Humboldt's squirrel monkeys and yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys.

From Salon