ape

ape
{{11}}ape (n.) O.E. apa "ape, monkey," from P.Gmc. *apan (Cf. O.S. apo, O.N. api, Du. aap, Ger. affe), perhaps borrowed in Proto-Germanic from Celtic (Cf. O.Ir. apa) or Slavic (Cf. O.Bohemian op, Slovak opitza), perhaps ultimately from a non-Indo-European language.
Apes were noted in medieval times for mimicry of human action, hence, perhaps, the other figurative use of the word, to mean "a fool." To go ape (in emphatic form, go apeshit) "go crazy" is 1955, U.S. slang. To lead apes in hell (1570s) was the fancied fate of one who died an old maid.
{{12}}ape (v.) "to imitate," 1630s, but the notion is implied earlier, e.g. to play the ape (1570s), Middle English apeshipe "ape-like behavior, simulation" (mid-15c.); and the noun sense of "one who mimics" may date from early 13c. Related: Aped; aping.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • APE — bzw. APE oder ape steht für: Theben (Ägypten), eine Stadt in Ägypten (historische hieroglyphische Bezeichnung) Ape (Kleintransporter), eine Kleintransporterreihe der Firma Piaggio Ape (Lettland) (dt. Hoppenhof), eine Stadt in Lettland Eine… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Ape — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. {{{image}}}   Sigles d une seule lettre   Sigles de deux lettres > Sigles de trois lettres …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Ape — bzw. APE oder ape steht für: Theben (Ägypten), eine Stadt in Ägypten (historische hieroglyphische Bezeichnung) Ape (Kleintransporter), eine Kleintransporterreihe der Firma Piaggio Ape (Lettland) (dt. Hoppenhof), eine Stadt in Lettland Eine… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • ape — ape; ape·let; ape·rea; ape·ri·od·ic; semi·ape; ape·ri·ent; ape·ling; ape·ri·od·i·cal·ly; ape·ri·o·dic·i·ty; …   English syllables

  • ape — ⇒APE, APUS, subst. masc. ZOOL. Genre de crustacé branchiopode vivant en eau douce stagnante, caractérisé par une carapace formant bouclier dorsal : • Apus cancriforme (apus cancriformis) (...). Il se distingue tout de suite par une vaste carapace …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Ape — Ape, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Aping}.] To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or follow servilely or irrationally. How he apes his sire. Addison. [1913 Webster] The people of England will not ape the fashions… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ape — ([=a]p), n. [AS. apa; akin to D. aap, OHG. affo, G. affe, Icel. api, Sw. apa, Dan. abe, W. epa.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family {Simiad[ae]}, having teeth of the same number and form as in man, and possessing neither a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ape — [āp] n. [ME < OE apa; akin to Ger affe < Gmc * apan, prob. < OSlav opica] 1. any gibbon or great ape 2. loosely any Old or New World monkey 3. a person who imitates; mimic 4. a person who is uncouth, gross, clumsy, etc. vt. aped …   English World dictionary

  • APE — (Heb. קוֹף), animal enumerated among the precious articles that Solomon imported (I Kings 10:22, II Chron. 9:21). The word kof derives from the Sanskrit kapi, meaning a tailless ape. In rabbinic literature, however, it refers both to the tailed… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Ape — (Apen), Brodart der Hindu, aus Reißmehl mit Grütze …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • ape — index copy, impersonate, mock (imitate), pose (impersonate) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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