Marmions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Small long-tailed primates from Central and South America, often kept in captivity and known for their quick movements and social behavior
2. Agile arboreal monkeys inhabiting the tropical forests of the Americas, characterized by elongated tails and compact bodies
3. Diminutive primates with extended tails found in the rainforests and woodlands of Central and South America, commonly featured in zoos and research

Etymology: "Marmions" is the plural of "marmion," an archaic English noun for a grotesque little figure or carved image. It came into English from Old French, where "marmot" and "marmouset" meant a small grotesque figure or image, and the later sense "monkey" for the marmoset grew from the same root. Its exact path into English is uncertain, so the link to the Old French forms is the most reliable part of the story.