jackanapes

[ jak-uh-neyps ]

See synonyms for: jackanapes jackanapeses on Thesaurus.com

noun

an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; whippersnapper.
an impudent, mischievous child.

Archaic. an ape or monkey.

Origin of jackanapes

1400–50; late Middle English Jakken-apes, literally, jack (i.e., man) of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), Duke of Suffolk, whose badge was an ape's clog and chain

Words Nearby jackanapes

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jackanapes in a sentence

That accomplished, I shall arrest the Dowager and her son and every jackanapes within that castle.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
You pestilent young jackanapes, do you suppose I haven't noticed your idleness?
Sinister Street, vol. 1 | Compton Mackenzie
"Lest he take thee for one of his runaway jackanapes," answered the steward, smiling sourly.
The Abbot | Sir Walter Scott
In another letter he writes about "a jackanapes who has lately made a noise here, one Boswell, by anecdotes of Dr. Johnson."
Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to Corsica | James Boswell
No, Mr. Harry Jocelyn, you are not the jackanapes you try to make people think you: you understand me.'
Evan Harrington, Complete | George Meredith

British Dictionary definitions for jackanapes

jackanapes

/ (ˈdʒækəˌneɪps) /

noun

a conceited impertinent person
a mischievous child

archaic a monkey

Origin of jackanapes

C16: variant of Jakken-apes, literally: Jack of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), first Duke of Suffolk, whose badge showed an ape's ball and chain

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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