marmoset
/ˈmɑɹməsət/ noun
Forms marmosets
- noun Any small monkey, now specifically a Central and South American monkey of the genera Callithrix, Mico, Cebuella, and Callibella, with claws instead of nails, and a rather primitive layout.
- noun (obsolete) A hideous figure; a grotesque.
- noun (derogatory, now rare) An unappealing or foolish man.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French marmouset (“a gargoyle; a small child”), probably from marmouser (“to mumble”), of imitative origin.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Any one of numerous species of small South American monkeys of the genera Hapale and Midas, family Hapalidæ. They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are often kept as pets.
Etymology [F. marmouset a grotesque figure, an ugly little boy, prob. fr. LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor marble. Perhaps confused with marmot. See Marble.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “marmoset”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details