hamadryas baboon

American  

[ham-uh-drahy-uhs] / ˌhæm əˈdraɪ əs /

noun

1. a baboon, Papio (Comopithecus ) hamadryas, of Ethiopia, the male of which has a mantle of long, dark hair about the head and shoulders: held sacred by the ancient Egyptians.

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Etymology

Origin of hamadryas baboon

1930–35; < New Latin hamadryas the specific epithet ( hamadryad )

Example Sentences

Thoth, the god of learning and wisdom was represented by a hamadryas baboon.

From Science Daily

We found that the hamadryas baboon has more so-called cellulolytic microbes—which break down plant cell walls—than the olive baboon does, in keeping with its higher-fiber diet.

From Scientific American

Egyptians venerated the hamadryas baboon as one embodiment of Thoth, god of the moon and of wisdom and adviser to Ra, god of the sun.

From Scientific American

A statue of a hamadryas baboon inscribed with King Narmer’s name dates to between 3150 B.C. and 3100 B.C.;

From Scientific American

Archaeologists have long puzzled over the prominence of the hamadryas baboon in ancient Egyptian culture.

From Scientific American