monkey jacket

American  

noun

1. a short, close-fitting jacket or coat, formerly worn by sailors.

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monkey jacket British  

noun

1. a short close-fitting jacket, esp a waist-length jacket similar to a mess jacket

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Etymology

Origin of monkey jacket

First recorded in 1820–30; so called from its resemblance to a jacket worn by an organ-grinder's monkey

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monkey jacket

At that I looked to the other side of the bowlder, and there was my friend of the monkey jacket.

From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Sir Hall Caine

This was a great disappointment to Ned Anstruther, who had come on deck fully equipped for the expedition in his sea boots and monkey jacket.

From Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant by John B. Greene

Just a blue serge suit, and a monkey jacket.

From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Sir Hall Caine

He crushed his way through as if he had been one of the steam fire-engines, Gillie holding tight to the stout tails of his monkey jacket.

From Rivers of Ice by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

Still another belt encircled me, and, though I had come up warmly clad in woolen shirts and monkey jacket, I felt these garments being torn away from me.

From The Grain Ship by Morgan Robertson