ape

/eip/

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The word "ape" can be used both as a noun and a verb. Let's break it down to understand its meanings and uses.

Noun Usage

1. Primate:

   • An ape is a type of primate, which is a group of animals that includes monkeys and humans. Apes are known for having no tails or very short tails. There are several kinds of apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. They are often larger and more intelligent than other primates.
   • Example: "The zoo has a family of apes, including a baby gorilla."

2. Person who copies:

   • An ape can also refer to a person who imitates or copies someone else's words or behavior, often without thinking for themselves.
   • Example: "He is such an ape; he always copies what his friends say."

Verb Usage

1. To imitate:
   • As a verb, to ape means to imitate someone, often in a silly or exaggerated way. This can sometimes imply that the imitation is not very thoughtful or original.
   • Example: "She apes her older sister's style, wearing the same clothes and hairstyle."

Advanced Usage

• Caricature: The verb form can also mean to exaggerate someone's features or behavior in a drawing or performance, making it humorous or ridiculous.
  • Example: "The artist apes the politician in a funny cartoon."

Word Variants

• There are no direct variants of the word "ape," but related words include "aping" (the present participle) and "aped" (the past tense).

Different Meanings

• The primary meanings of "ape" revolve around primates and imitation. In some contexts, it can also refer to someone who behaves foolishly or thoughtlessly due to mimicking others.

Synonyms

• For the noun usage, synonyms include:

  • "primate"
  • "monkey" (though not exactly the same, as monkeys are different from apes)

• For the verb usage, synonyms include:

  • "imitate"
  • "copy"
  • "mock"

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "ape," but you might hear phrases like:
  • "Monkey see, monkey do," which means people often imitate what they see others doing, much like how an ape might behave.

Summary

To sum up, "ape" can refer to a type of primate or describe someone who imitates others. As a verb, it means to mimic, often in a silly way.

Academic

Noun

1. person who resembles a nonhuman primate
2. someone who copies the words or behavior of another
3. any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all

Verb

1. represent in or produce a caricature of
   • The drawing caricatured the President
2. imitate uncritically and in every aspect
   • Her little brother apes her behavior

Synonyms

• anthropoid
• copycat
• imitator
• emulator
• aper
• caricature