capuchin

noun

ca·​pu·​chin ˈka-pyə-shən 

-pə-,

especially for sense 3 also

kə-ˈpyü- 

-ˈpü-

1

capitalized : a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin forming since 1529 an austere branch of the first order of St. Francis of Assisi engaged in missionary work and preaching

2

: a hooded cloak for women

3

: any of two genera (Cebus and Sapajus) of South and Central American monkeys

especially : one (C. capucinus) with the dark hair on its crown resembling a close-fitting cap

Did you know?

Members of a genus of tropical monkeys (four species altogether) capuchins are found from Nicaragua to Paraguay. Considered among the most intelligent New World monkeys, capuchins are so-named because of their cap of crown hair, which resembles the cowl of Capuchin monks. These stocky, round-headed monkeys are 12-22 in. (30-55 cm) long, with a hairy, prehensile tail of about the same length. They are brown or black in color, sometimes with white markings. Capuchins live in troops, often in the treetops. They eat fruit and small animals and sometimes raid plantations for oranges and other food. They are easily trained and are valued as gentle pets.

Examples of capuchin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Who cajoled him into bringing not one, but two slap-happy capuchins into the mix? —Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

Present in many of the duo's scenes is Caracalla's pet monkey, played by a capuchin named Dundus. —EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

This is a truly remote wilderness and a great place to spot rare mammals such as white-faced capuchins, margays, ocelots, and tapirs, an animal related to the rhinoceros species. —Lily Bunker, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024

When reminded that most wouldn’t consider running a small petting zoo, bottle-feeding capuchin monkeys and housing baby wallabies and a host of other animals typical, Haddix laughs. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Old Italian cappuccino, from cappuccio; from his cowl

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

capuchin

noun

cap·​u·​chin

ˈkap-yə-shən,

kə-ˈp(y)ü-

: a brown or black monkey of South and Central America with a whitish face, chest, and shoulders