Capuchin

UK: /ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn/, /ˈkæpjʊʃɪn/ US: (kap′yŏŏ chin, -shin)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Capuchin / ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn ˈkæpjʊʃɪn/ noun

1. a friar belonging to a strict and autonomous branch of the Franciscan order founded in 1525

Etymology: 16th Century: from French; see capuche

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cap•u•chin  (kap′yŏŏ chin, -shin), n. 

1. Mammals a Central and South American monkey, Cebus capucinus, having a prehensile tail and hair on the head resembling a cowl.
2. Mammals any monkey of the genus Cebus.
3. Clothing a hooded cloak for women.
4. Religion (cap.) Also called Friar Minor Capuchin. [Rom. Cath. Ch.] a friar belonging to the branch of the Franciscan order that observes vows of poverty and austerity. Cf. Friar Minor, Friar Minor Conventual. Also called ringtail monkey (for defs. 1, 2).

• Italian cappuccino, equivalent. to cappucc(io) capuche + -ino -ine¹
• Middle French
• 1590–1600

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

capuchin / ˈkæpjʊtʃɪn -ʃɪn/ noun

1. any agile intelligent New World monkey of the genus Cebus, inhabiting forests in South America, typically having a cowl of thick hair on the top of the head
2. a woman's hooded cloak
3. (sometimes capital) a rare variety of domestic fancy pigeon

Etymology: 16th Century: from French, from Italian cappuccino, from cappuccio hood; see capuche