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Webster 1913 Edition


Jackanapes

Jack′a-napes

,
Noun.
[For
Jack o’
(=
of
)
apes
; prop., a man who exhibits apes.]
[Written also
jackanape
.]
1.
A monkey; an ape.
Shak.
2.
A coxcomb; an impertinent or conceited fellow.
A young upstart
jackanapes
.
Arbuthnot.

Webster 1828 Edition


Jackanapes

JACK'ANAPES

,
Noun.
[jack and ape.] A monkey, an ape.
1.
A coxcomb; an impertinent fellow.
A young upstart jackanapes.

Definition 2024


jackanapes

jackanapes

See also: jack-a-napes

English

A monkey on leash was colloquially called a jackanapes.

Alternative forms

Noun

jackanapes (plural jackanapeses)

  1. (obsolete) A monkey.
  2. (dated, pejorative) An impudent or mischievous person.
Usage notes

jackanapes is originally the singular form, though it is also analyzed as a plural (due to the -s), and hence jackanape was formed as a singular backformation.

Derived terms
Quotations
  • For usage examples of this term, see Citations:jackanapes.

Etymology 2

Noun

jackanapes

  1. plural of jackanape

References

  • “Attraction in English”, Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 25, 1893, p. 113
  • Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 23, pp. 190–193 – 38 quotations
  • It’s the southern end of a northbound jackalope.” The Word Detective, March 24, 2004