gibbon
UK[ˈɡɪbən]US[ˈɡɪbən]
n
A small ape with long, strong arms and no tail, that lives in the forests of Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The word 'gibbon' entered English in the late 18th century from French, which borrowed it from a local term used in the French colonies of Southeast Asia. Its ultimate origin is likely from an Austroasiatic language, such as the Orang Asli word 'gibung'. The term was adopted by European naturalists to specifically classify these small, tailless apes, distinguishing them from the larger great apes. The journey of the word reflects the colonial-era exchange of scientific knowledge and local fauna names.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword. It does not contain separable morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
The loud, whooping call of the gibbon echoed through the rainforest canopy.
Gibbons are known for their incredible agility, swinging from branch to branch using a form of locomotion called brachiation.
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the endangered silvery gibbon and its shrinking habitat.