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

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 Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

‘He’s got on the hat and monkey jacket he always wears.’

From Will Weatherhelm The Yarn of an Old Sailor by Webb, Archibald

But the attempt to find an owner for that voice is quite as idle as the effort to discover the contents of the monkey jacket.

From White Jacket or, the World on a Man-of-War by Melville, Herman

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 Greene, John B.

I produced the roll of lint at once from the pocket of my monkey jacket.

From The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea by Austin, Henry