dog ape: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely low; Archaic.Historical, Zoological (archaic), Literary (in historical context).
Quick answer
What does “dog ape” mean?
An archaic or historical term for a baboon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic or historical term for a baboon.
Used in older texts to describe various large, dog-faced primates, primarily the baboon, perceived as bridging dog-like and ape-like characteristics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary usage difference. Historical usage appears equally in British and American texts describing natural history.
Connotations
Carries connotations of antiquated scientific classification and exploration narratives.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern English in either variety.
Grammar
How to Use “dog ape” in a Sentence
[Noun Phrase] was termed a dog-ape.The [Animal] resembled a dog-ape.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog ape” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The dog-ape creature was fearsome.
American English
- The dog-ape specimen was documented.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical analysis of zoological taxonomy or travel literature.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Obsolete in modern zoology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog ape”
- Hyphenating incorrectly as 'dogape' or 'dog ape' (though historically variable).
- Using it as a contemporary term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic historical term, not used in modern English. You will only find it in very old texts.
No. Using 'dog-ape' in contemporary speech or writing would be considered incorrect, archaic, and potentially confusing.
Early European observers thought its long muzzle and facial features resembled a dog's, while its body resembled an ape's, leading to the descriptive compound.
Yes. Examples include 'sea-dog' (for various seal-like animals), 'river-horse' (hippopotamus), and 'flying fox' (a type of bat).
An archaic or historical term for a baboon.
Dog ape is usually historical, zoological (archaic), literary (in historical context). in register.
Dog ape: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡ eɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡ eɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term itself is not idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old explorer's journal sketching an animal with a dog's face on an ape's body, labeling it 'DOG-APE'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN UNFAMILIAR ANIMAL IS A HYBRID OF FAMILIAR ANIMALS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the modern, correct term for the animal historically called a 'dog-ape'?