lesser ape

American

[les-er eyp] / ˈlɛs ər ˈeɪp /

noun

any member of the four genera of gibbons that make up the family Hylobatidae.

Etymology

Origin of lesser ape

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is called the lesser ape to distinguish it from great apes like gorillas and chimpanzees, but the gibbon is remarkable in its agility.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023