Cercopithecine
/ˌsɜːrkoʊˈpɪθəsiːn/noun
Relating to the Cercopithecinae, a group of Old World monkeys that includes guenons, vervet monkeys, and macaques.
Did you know?The name ultimately combines Greek kerkos, “tail,” with pithēkos, “ape,” echoing the ancient Greek fascination with identifying animals by striking body features.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kerkos
“Tail”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pithēkos
“Ape or monkey”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Cercopithecus
“A taxonomic genus name formed from Greek “tail” and “ape””
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Cercopithecidae
“The monkey family containing Old World monkeys”
19th–20th Century
Scientific English
cercopithecine
“Relating to the Cercopithecinae group”
Modern English
English
cercopithecine
“Relating to certain Old World monkeys, especially guenons, vervets, and macaques”
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