gəˈrilə noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin (specific epithet of Troglodytes gorilla, former binomial designation for the gorilla), from Greek Gorillai, an African tribe of hairy women
1. : an anthropoid ape ( Gorilla gorilla syn. G. savagei ) that inhabits a small part of the forest region of equatorial West Africa, is closely related to the chimpanzee but less arboreal, less erect, and much larger, sometimes exceeding five and one half feet in height and 500 pounds in weight, and has massive bones, broad shoulders, very long arms, strong jaws with prominent canine teeth, a nose with a low median ridge, small ears, and a face covered with black skin
2.
a. : an ugly brute of a man
b. slang : a strong-arm man : thug , goon
the employment of gorillas for purposes of intimidation — C.A.Madison