Word Study
gibbon
CIDE DICTIONARY
gibbon, n. [Cf. F. gibbon.].
Any arboreal ape of the genus Hylobates , of which many species and varieties inhabit the East Indies and Southern Asia. They are tailless and without cheek pouches, and have very long arms, adapted for climbing.
" The white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar ), the crowned (H. pilatus ), the wou-wou or singing gibbon (H. agilis ), the siamang, and the hoolock. are the most common species." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
gibbon, n. any small ape of the genus Hylobates, native to SE Asia, having a slender body and long arms.
Etymology
F f. a native name
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