Mangabey
/ˈmæŋ.ɡə.bi/noun
A medium-sized African monkey of the genera Cercocebus and Lophocebus, known for its expressive facial markings and long tail.
Did you know?The word’s exact origin remains uncertain: dictionaries generally trace it through French mangabé, possibly from Mangabe, a place-name in Madagascar, rather than from a clearly identified ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Possibly pre-18th century
Malagasy?
Mangabe
“A proposed place-name or local source connected with the monkey’s name; the identification is uncertain.”
18th Century
French
mangabé
“A name for an African monkey, probably borrowed through travel and natural-history writing.”
18th Century
English
mangabey
“The English form for this group of monkeys.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Cercocebus
“The zoological genus name later applied to several mangabeys; literally “tail-monkey” from Greek kerkos, “tail,” and kēbos, “monkey.””
Modern English
English
mangabey
“A common name for several African monkeys in the genera Cercocebus and Lophocebus.”
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