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gibbon

[ gib-uhn ]
/ ˈgɪb ən /
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noun
any of the small arboreal apes of the East Indies and southern Asia that belong to the four genera of the family Hylobatidae (the lesser apes), displaying strong territorial behavior with vigorous vocalization and having wrists much like ball-and-socket joints: all species are reduced in number, and most are endangered.
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Origin of gibbon

First recorded in 1760–70; from French, used by Georges Buffon; further origin uncertain

Other definitions for gibbon (2 of 2)

Gibbon
[ gib-uhn ]
/ ˈgɪb ən /

noun
Edward, 1737–94, English historian.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gibbon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gibbon (1 of 2)

gibbon
/ (ˈɡɪbən) /

noun
any small agile arboreal anthropoid ape of the genus Hylobates, inhabiting forests in S Asia

Word Origin for gibbon

C18: from French, probably from an Indian dialect word

British Dictionary definitions for gibbon (2 of 2)

Gibbon
/ (ˈɡɪbən) /

noun
Edward. 1737–94, English historian; author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–88), controversial in its historical criticism of Christianity
Lewis Grassic (ˈɡræsɪk), real name James Leslie Mitchell . 1901–35, Scottish writer: best known for his trilogy of novels Scots Quair (1932–34)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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