— apelike , adj.
/ayp/ , n. , v. , aped, aping .
n.
1. any of a group of anthropoid primates characterized by long arms, a broad chest, and the absence of a tail, comprising the family Pongidae (great ape) , which includes the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan, and the family Hylobatidae (lesser ape) , which includes the gibbon and siamang.
2. (loosely) any primate except humans.
3. an imitator; mimic.
4. Informal. a big, ugly, clumsy person.
v.t.
5. to imitate; mimic: to ape another's style of writing.
6. go ape , Slang. to become violently emotional: When she threatened to leave him, he went ape.
7. go ape over , Slang. to be extremely enthusiastic about: They go ape over old rock music.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE apa; c. OS apo, ON api, OHG affo (G Affe ) ]