/kap"yoo chin, -shin/ , n.
1. a Central and South American monkey, Cebus capucinus, having a prehensile tail and hair on the head resembling a cowl.
2. any monkey of the genus Cebus.
3. a hooded cloak for women.
4. ( cap. ) Also called Friar Minor Capuchin . Rom. Cath. Ch. a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity. Cf. Friar Minor, Friar Minor Conventual . Also called ringtail monkey (for defs. 1, 2).
[ 1590-1600; cappuccino, equiv. to cappucc ( io ) CAPUCHE + -ino -INE 1 ]