Ape \Ape\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aped; p. pr. & vb. n. Aping.]

To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or follow servilely or irrationally. ``How he apes his sire.'' --Addison.

The people of England will not ape the fashions they have never tried. --Burke.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Ape \Ape\ ([=a]p), n. [AS. apa; akin to D. aap, OHG. affo, G. affe, Icel. api, Sw. apa, Dan. abe, W. epa.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family Simiad[ae], having teeth of the same number and form as in man, and possessing neither a tail nor cheek pouches. The name is applied esp. to species of the genus Hylobates, and is sometimes used as a general term for all Quadrumana. The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee, and ourang, are often called anthropoid apes or man apes.

Note: The ape of the Old Testament was probably the rhesus monkey of India, and allied forms.

2. One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of the ape); a mimic. --Byron.

3. A dupe. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)