Ape n. [AS. apa; akin to D. aap, OHG. affo, G. affe, Icel. api, Sw. apa, Dan. abe, W. epa.]
1. Zool.
A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family Simiadae, having teeth of the same number and form as in man, and possessing neither a tail nor cheek pouches. The name is applied esp. to species of the genus Hylobates, and is sometimes used as a general term for all Quadrumana. The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee, and ourang, are often called anthropoid apes or man apes.
⇒ The ape of the Old Testament was probably the rhesus monkey of India, and allied forms.
2.
One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of the ape); a mimic.
Byron.
3.
A dupe.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.
Ape, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aped; p. pr. & vb. n. Aping.]
To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or follow servilely or irrationally.
"How he
apes his sire."
Addison.
The people of England will not ape the fashions they have never tried.
Burke.
© Webster 1913.