ape: Meaning and Definition of

ape

Pronunciation: (āp), [key]
— n., v., aped, ap•ing.
—n.
  1. any of a group of anthropoid primates characterized by long arms, a broad chest, and the absence of a tail, comprising the family Pongidaewhich includes the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan, and the family Hylobatidaewhich includes the gibbon and siamang.
  2. (loosely) any primate except humans.
  3. an imitator; mimic.
  4. a big, ugly, clumsy person.
—v.t.
  1. to imitate; mimic: to ape another's style of writing.
  2. to become violently emotional: When she threatened to leave him, he went ape.
  3. to be extremely enthusiastic about: They go ape over old rock music.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • ape (Thesaurus)