rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygibbonLong-armed ape
noun

gibbon

GIB-un/ˈɡɪbən/

A small, long-armed ape native to Southeast Asian forests.

The gibbon hangs between branches by its long arms.

One white-handed gibbon hangs by its exceptionally long arms between two branches, showing its compact body, white hands and feet, pale facial ring, and absence of a tail.
Etymology
gibbonFrenchlong-armed ape

French gibbon already named the long-armed ape. It supposedly came from a word used in the French colonies of India, but no matching word has been found in the languages there.

In context

Terra Wild7:16
High above the ground, a gibbon perches in the lush tropical rainforest canopy, always alert and ready to move. The most striking feature is its arms. A gibbon's arms are far longer than its legs
Gibbon – The Rainforest’s Forgotten Guardian | Animal Documentary

More examples

  • The gibbon's long arms helped it cross the canopy.
  • We heard gibbons calling across the forest.
  • The young gibbon clung to its mother.

Forms

gibbon · gibbons

Similar words

ape
A gibbon is one kind of ape, distinguished by long arms and a relatively small body.
monkey
Gibbons are apes, not monkeys, and have no tail.