old world monkey
C2Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A member of the primate superfamily Cercopithecoidea, native to Africa and Asia, characterized by nostrils that are close together and pointing downward, and often having tails that are not prehensile.
Often used in contrast to New World monkeys found in Central and South America. Can also be used metaphorically to describe something considered primitive, outdated, or originating from the Old World (Africa and Eurasia).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In taxonomy, it is a formal biological grouping (infraorder). In everyday speech, it is often used generically or in comparative contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The phrase itself is a scientific term used identically.
Connotations
Identical, though the metaphorical use ('old-world') for something traditional or quaint may be slightly more common in UK English.
Frequency
Equally rare in common speech in both varieties; frequency is tied entirely to biological, zoological, or anthropological contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] an old world monkey[classify/describe/identify] X as an old world monkey[contrast/distinguish] old world monkeys from/with new world monkeysVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
In biology and anthropology papers discussing primate evolution, taxonomy, or comparative anatomy.
Everyday
Rare, except in contexts like visits to zoos, wildlife documentaries, or discussions about evolution.
Technical
Essential term in primatology, zoology, paleontology, and veterinary medicine related to non-human primates.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The old-world-monkey exhibit is the most popular at the zoo.
- We studied old-world-monkey social structures.
American English
- The old-world monkey exhibit is the most popular at the zoo.
- We studied old world monkey social structures.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The zoo has monkeys from Africa and Asia.
- Baboons and macaques are types of old world monkeys.
- Unlike new world monkeys, old world monkeys have nostrils that are close together and downward-facing.
- The divergence between cercopithecoid old world monkeys and hominoid apes represents a major cladistic event in primate evolution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
OLD World monkeys have nostrils that are 'O'ld and close together like an 'O', and they live in the 'OLD' World (Africa/Asia).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE DOMAIN: Evolution/Biology. TARGET DOMAIN: Antiquity/Tradition. ('He has some old-world monkey habits' implying primitive or outdated behavior).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'старая обезьяна мира'. Use научный термин: 'мартышковые' or 'обезьяны Старого Света'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'apes' (e.g., gorillas, chimpanzees).
- Capitalising all words (only proper nouns in 'Old World' are typically capitalised).
- Using 'old world monkey' to refer to any monkey loosely.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT an old world monkey?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Humans and old world monkeys share a common ancestor but evolved along separate evolutionary branches (clades).
The primary anatomical differences are in nostril shape and septum (narrow vs. wide) and tail structure (generally non-prehensile in old world vs. often prehensile in new world).
No. Gorillas are apes (Hominoidea), not monkeys (Cercopithecoidea). Both groups are primates but belong to different superfamilies.
In the wild, across Africa and Asia. In captivity, most monkeys exhibited in zoos outside the Americas are old world monkeys (e.g., baboons, macaques).