great apes

as inprimate

Word Origin & History

Old English apa "ape, monkey," from Proto-Germanic *apan (cf. Old Saxon apo, Old Norse api, Dutch aap, German affe), perhaps borrowed in Proto-Germanic from Celtic (cf. Old Irish apa) or Slavic (cf. Old Bohemian op, Slovak opitza), perhaps ultimately from a non-Indo-European language.

Apes were noted in medieval times for mimicry of human action, hence, perhaps, the other figurative use of the word, to mean "a fool." To go ape (in emphatic form, go apeshit) "go crazy" is 1955, U.S. slang. To lead apes in hell (1570s) was the fancied fate of one who died an old maid.

Example Sentences for great apes

When the great apes were quite near, she suddenly called aloud.

His first impulse of course was to release the rest of the great apes.

It was a bit of jungle inhabited by the great apes in large numbers.

Still came to their ears the mourning wails of the great apes.

The trio must remain for the time being among the great apes.

One of these great apes has the strength ...

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Synonyms for great apes

noun order of mammals