Also 8 chimpanze, 9 shimpanse. [The native name in Angola, in W. Africa. (Cf. F. chimpansé, -zé, -zée.)]
A genus of African apes (Anthropopithecus), bearing the closest resemblance to man of any of the anthropoids. The name originally belonged to A. Troglodytes (formerly T. niger), which was long the only species recognized; but at least one other species is now known. (See Nature, 1889, 254.)
1738. Lond. Mag., Sept., 464–5. A most surprizing Creature is brought over in the Speaker, just arrived from Carolina, that was taken in a Wood at Guinea…. She is the Female of the Creature, which the Angolans call Chimpanze, or the Mockman.
1739. Ipswitch Jrnl., 22 Sept., 3/3. That Great Curiosity, the Female Chimpanzee: With a Male of the same Species; both as well preserved as if alive.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Chimpanzee, in natural history, the name of an Angolan animal very much approaching to the human figure, but of a fierce disposition, and remarkably mischievous. In the year 1738, we had one of these creatures brought over into England.
1788. J. Matthews, Voy. R. Sierra-Leone, iv. 41. The Japanzees, or Chimpanzees, are also natives of this country.
1874. Lubbock, Orig. & Met. Ins., i. 6. If we were to judge animals by their works, the chimpanzee and the gorilla must certainly give place to the bee and the ant.
