n. & v.
n. 1 any of the various primates of the family Pongidae characterized by the absence of a tail, e.g. the gorilla, chimpanzee, orang-utan, or gibbon. 2 (in general use) any monkey. 3 a an imitator. b an apelike person.
v.tr. imitate, mimic. ape-man (pl. -men) any of various apelike primates held to be forerunners of present-day man. go ape sl. become crazy. naked ape present-day man.
[ OE apa f. Gmc ]