definition of the word baboon

From Middle English babewin, baboin < French babouin, or Late Latin babewynus. Of unknown origin; confer Dutch baviaan, German Pavian (“‘baboon’”), French babine (“‘lip of ape, dogs, etc.’”), dialectal German bäppe (“‘mouth’”).

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• Rhymes: -uːn

baboon (plural baboons)

1. (zoology) Mostly African primates. One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. A group of baboons is refered to as a troop, a tribe or a flange.

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