Apishly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Marked by behavior that resembles the actions of apes, typically appearing foolish or silly
2. Describing conduct that mimics primate behavior, often in an exaggerated or clumsy fashion
3. Characterized by actions that imitate simian behavior, generally perceived as ludicrous or lacking sophistication

Etymology: "Apishly" is a plain formation: the adjective "apish" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly". The adjective "apish" is built from "ape" and the suffix "-ish", which in English forms adjectives meaning "like" or "having the character of" something, as in "childish" or "bookish". So "apish" means "resembling an ape," and "apishly" describes doing something in that manner. The root "ape" comes from Old English "apa," traceable back through Proto-Germanic "apôn," and it has been in English since before the Middle English period. The suffix "-ly" likewise has Old English roots, where "-līċe" marked manner and gradually shortened to the modern "-ly" in Middle English.

Synonyms: clumsily, awkwardly, foolishly