capuchin

[kap-yoo-chin, -shin] /ˈkæp yʊ tʃɪn, -ʃɪn/
noun
1.
a Central and South American monkey, Cebus capucinus, having a prehensile tail and hair on the head resembling a cowl.
2.
any monkey of the genus Cebus.
3.
a hooded cloak for women.
4.
(initial capital letter). Also called Friar Minor Capuchin. Roman Catholic Church. a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity.
Compare Friar Minor, Friar Minor Conventual.
Also called ringtail monkey (for defs 1, 2).
Origin
1590-1600; < Middle French < Italian cappuccino, equivalent to cappucc(io) capuche + -ino -ine1
Examples from the web for capuchin
  • They simulated incoming invasions with hidden speakers, which played recordings of rival capuchin groups of varying size.
  • Make nine canopy traverses, climb through a hollow fig tree, and perform rappels in the company of capuchin monkeys.
British Dictionary definitions for capuchin

capuchin

/ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn; -ʃɪn/
noun
1.
any agile intelligent New World monkey of the genus Cebus, inhabiting forests in South America, typically having a cowl of thick hair on the top of the head
2.
a woman's hooded cloak
3.
(sometimes capital) a rare variety of domestic fancy pigeon
Word Origin
C16: from French, from Italian cappuccino, from cappuccio hood; see capuche

Capuchin

/ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn; ˈkæpjʊʃɪn/
noun
1.
  1. a friar belonging to a strict and autonomous branch of the Franciscan order founded in 1525
  2. (as modifier): a Capuchin friar
Word Origin
C16: from French; see capuche
Word Origin and History for capuchin

Capuchin

n.

1520s, from Middle French capuchin (16c., Modern French capucin), from Italian capuccino, diminutive of capuccio "hood," augmentative of cappa (see cap (n.)). Friar of the Order of St. Francis, under the rule of 1528, so called from the pointed hoods on their cloaks. As a type of monkey, 1785, from the shape of the hair on its head, thought to resemble a cowl.