titi

¹

[ tee-tee ]

noun

, plural ti·tis.

1. any of various small reddish or grayish monkeys of the genus Callicebus, of South America.

titi

²

[ tee-tee, tahy-tahy ]

noun

, plural ti·tis.

1. a shrub or small tree of the southern U.S., Cliftonia monophylla black titi, having glossy leaves and elongated clusters of fragrant white flowers.

titi

¹

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. any of several small omnivorous New World monkeys of the genus Callicebus, of South America, having long beautifully coloured fur and a long nonprehensile tail

titi

²

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. the sooty shearwater, Puffinus griseus See muttonbird

titi

³

/ ˈtiːtiː /

noun

1. any of various evergreen shrubs or small trees of the family Cyrillaceae of the southern US, esp the leatherwood and Cliftonia monophylla, which has white or pinkish fragrant flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of titi¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30, from Latin American Spanish, from Tupi

Origin of titi²

First recorded in 1820–30; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of titi¹

via Spanish from Aymaran, literally: little cat

Origin of titi²

Māori, of imitative origin

Origin of titi³

C19: of American Indian origin

Example Sentences

Through her haircare line, named for her grandmother, Jessie Branch, Titi Branch was revolutionary.

From The Daily Beast

He argued that Titi was stunning and had a magnificent presence, but to no avail.

From The Daily Beast

It was a beautiful little creature—a true saïmiri, or squirrel-monkey, called the “titi.”

From Project Gutenberg

I gave twenty francs to the troopers of my peloton to drink my health, and I did not forget my friends Titi and Piatte.

From Project Gutenberg

By de Lanoy's advice I gave Titi five francs to buy a two-gallon jar of wine for the troopers belonging to my peloton.

From Project Gutenberg

When I returned to my room all the other troopers chaffed me unmercifully, but Titi was practical and sympathetic.

From Project Gutenberg

At a quarter to eight the trumpeters called "The men under punishment," and I went down with Titi to the guard-room.

From Project Gutenberg