Simia
/ˈsɪ.mi.ə/noun
A monkey or ape, especially in Latin zoological and historical usage.
Did you know?Latin *simia* became a standard learned term in medieval and scientific writing, and its root is also behind the modern English word *simian*.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sei- / *sēi-
“A proposed ancient root connected by some scholars to “to bind/attach” or to imitation-related forms, but the exact prehistory is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
simia
“A monkey or ape.”
Late Latin
Latin
simianus
“Pertaining to apes or monkeys.”
Middle English
English
simian
“A monkey or ape; later, an adjective meaning ape-like.”
Modern English
English
simian
“Relating to or resembling apes or monkeys.”
Explore more surprising origins