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: any of a genus (Macaca) of chiefly Asian monkeys typically having a sturdy build and including some short-tailed or tailless forms
especially
: rhesus monkey
Examples of macaque in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The primate facility is one of the nation's largest for breeding pigtailed macaques.
—Kunle Falayi, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
The discoveries Monday — first there were three, then two more — mean 13 of the Rhesus macaques remain outside the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in the town of Yemassee.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Just making those videos involves very close interaction with the monkeys, however, which authorities and animal-rights activists say creates a host of other problems, both for the macaques and people visiting one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist sites.
—David Rising, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
No dolphin will ever perform an autopsy, no dingo will read Heidegger, no macaque will write a requiem for piano and violin.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
French, from Portuguese macaco, from kaku mangabey, plural makaku, in one or more Bantu languages of Gabon and Congo
First Known Use
1757, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing macaque
Dictionary Entries Near macaque
Cite this Entry
“Macaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macaque. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
: any of various monkeys mostly from Asia that includes some with either short or no tails
especially
: rhesus monkey
Etymology
French, from Portuguese macaco, from makaku, plural of kaku, name for an African monkey in one or more Bantu languages of Gabon and Congo
Medical Definition
: any of numerous short-tailed Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca and related genera chiefly of southern Asia
especially
: rhesus monkey
More from Merriam-Webster on macaque
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about macaque
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