marmoset

[ mahr-muh-set, -zet ]

noun

1. any of several small, squirrellike, South and Central American monkeys of the genera Callithrix, Cebuella, etc., having soft fur and a long, nonprehensile tail: some species are endangered.

marmoset

/ ˈmɑːməˌzɛt /

noun

1. any small South American monkey of the genus Callithrix and related genera, having long hairy tails, clawed digits, and tufts of hair around the head and ears: family Callithricidae
2. pygmy marmoset
   pygmy marmoset a related form, Cebuella pygmaea: the smallest monkey, inhabiting tropical forests of the Amazon

Word History and Origins

Origin of marmoset¹

1350–1400; Middle English marmusette a kind of monkey, an idol < Old French marmouset, apparently equivalent to marmos ( er ) to murmur ( marm- ( marmot ) + -oser v. suffix) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of marmoset¹

C14: from Old French marmouset grotesque figure, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Ultrasound imaging of marmoset fetuses reveals that their mouths are already mimicking the distinctive pattern of movements used to emit their first calls, long before the production of sound.

From Science News

The researchers then compared the fetal movements to the contact calls produced by the infant marmosets after birth.

From Science News

Scientists have studied the common marmoset, a South American primate, and found that they experience a sort of “sympathy pregnancy” which causes them to double their weight while their mate is pregnant.

From Ozy

When in the canoe, the marmoset played with Grampus, as the dog was named; and when on shore it invariably travelled on his back.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a peculiar and remarkable and altogether extraordinary monkey, that tiny marmoset.

From Project Gutenberg

Marmoset was fonder of riding than walking, so that Grampus had enough to do; but he did not put himself much about.

From Project Gutenberg

Marmoset crossed over walking, like a tight-rope dancer, being quite au fait at such work.

From Project Gutenberg

This reminded him that he had left his pet Marmoset in the Indian village, and a feeling of deep self-reproach filled his heart.

From Project Gutenberg