Aping
/ˈeɪ.pɪŋ/noun
Imitating someone or something, often in a foolish or unoriginal way.
Did you know?The noun “ape” is ancient in English, but its deeper origin is uncertain; scholars connect it to early Germanic forms such as Old English “apa” and German “Affe.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*apōn
“Reconstructed Germanic term for an ape or monkey; its ultimate source is uncertain.”
Old English
Old English
apa
“An ape or monkey.”
Middle English
Middle English
ape
“An ape or monkey; later also a person who imitates.”
16th Century
English
ape
“To imitate or mimic, extending the animal noun into a verb.”
Modern English
English
aping
“Imitating, formed from “ape” plus the present-participle ending “-ing.””