bonobo
UK[bəˈnəʊbəʊ]US[bəˈnoʊboʊ]
n
a small, intelligent great ape with long legs and dark fur, found in the forests of the democratic republic of the congo.
Etymology
the word 'bonobo' is a 20th-century borrowing, first recorded in english in the 1930s. it is believed to originate from a misspelling or mishearing of the name of the town of bolobo on the congo river, near where the first specimens were identified. unlike terms derived from latin or greek roots, 'bonobo' entered the language as a complete, unanalyzable unit to label a newly categorized species. its etymology is thus geographical and accidental, rather than being constructed from meaningful classical components.
Analysis
this is a simplex word, a modern loanword not composed of separable classical morphemes in english.
Examples
bonobos are known for their peaceful and cooperative social structures.
researchers study bonobo communication to understand the evolution of language.
the bonobo is an endangered species due to habitat loss and hunting.