Jackanapes

/ˈd͡ʒækəneɪps/ · noun

Meaning

(obsolete) (A proper name for) an ape or monkey, especially a tame one kept for entertainment or as a pet..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) (A proper name for) an ape or monkey, especially a tame one kept for entertainment or as a pet.
2. (A proper name for) a person thought to behave like an ape or monkey, for example, in being impudent, mischievous, vain, etc.; specifically (chiefly humorous), an impudent or mischievous child.
3. A crucifix.
4. A small pulley which keeps a rope in line when lifting ore, water, etc., from a mine.
5. plural of jackanape

Example Sentences

To iettynge, to iaggynge, and to full of iapes; / To mockynge, to mowynge, to lye a iackenapes: […]

He grynnes and he gapis, / As it were iack napis.

Can Iack an Ape be merry vvhen his clog is at his heele.

A fair sight we are; and had I but a rebeck or guitar at my back, and a jackanapes on my shoulder, we should seem as joyous a brace of strollers as ever touched string at a castle gate.

[…] I could see him climbing like a jackanapes, for that part was again very steep; […]

I [Aye], quoth Jack a napes, by these ten bones, / Nothing happens amiss to a præparid minde, / Tis good philosophy, katt will to kinde.

VVas there euer man had ſuch lucke? vvhen I kiſt the Iacke vpon an vp-caſt, to be hit avvay? I had a hundred pound on't: and then a vvhoreſon Iacke-an-apes muſt take me vp for ſvvearing, as if I borrovved mine oathes of him, and might not ſpend them at my pleaſure.

Now, she hath favoured, doth favour, and will favour, this jack-an-ape,—for what good part about him I know not, save that as one noble lady will love a messan dog, and another a screaming popinjay, and a third a Barbary ape, so doth it please our noble dame to set her affections upon this stray elf of a page, […]

Synonyms for jackanapes

Antonyms for jackanapes

Related Words

Word Forms

• jackanapeses
• jackanape
• jack-a-napes

Usage Notes

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