Definitions for jackanapesˈdʒæk əˌneɪps
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
jack•a•napesˈdʒæk əˌneɪps(n.)
an impertinent fellow.
a mischievous child.
Archaic. an ape or monkey.
Origin of jackanapes:
1400–50; late ME Jakken-apes, lit., jack (i.e., man) of the ape, nickname of William de la Pole (1396–1450), Duke of Suffolk
Princeton's WordNet
whippersnapper, jackanapes, lightweight(noun)
someone who is unimportant but cheeky and presumptuous
Wiktionary
jackanapes(Noun)
A monkey.
jackanapes(Noun)
An impudent or mischievous person.
Origin: 1450, from “Jack of Naples”, with “of Naples” rendered “a Napes” in vernacular. Originally rendered as Jac Napes, Jac Nape, and Jack Napis in 1450s. Presumably from *Jak a Napes, and original *Jak of Naples, presumably circa 1400. Monkeys were one of many exotic goods from Naples exhibited in Britain, hence acquired the nickname Jack a Napes.
Webster Dictionary
Jackanapes(noun)
a monkey; an ape
Jackanapes(noun)
a coxcomb; an impertinent or conceited fellow
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