apelike

English

Etymology

From ape +‎ -like.

Adjective

apelike (comparative more apelike, superlative most apelike)

1. Similar to an ape in appearance or movement.
   • 1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, “chapter V, Permanence”, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book IV (Horoscope):

     The Nomad has his very house set on wheels; the Nomad, and in a still higher degree the Ape, are all for “liberty;” the privilege to flit continually is indispensable for them. Alas, in how many ways, does our humour, in this swift-rolling self-abrading Time, shew itself nomadic, apelike; mournful enough to him that looks on it with eyes!

   • 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

     "In heaven's name, what is it?" he asked. "We have been asked not to photograph it. Possibly the light would infuriate it. The command through the medium was definite. We can only say that it is either an ape-like man or a man-like ape."

2. Given to servile imitation.

Translations

simian — see simian

given to servile imitation

Anagrams

• pealike