gorilla

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An ape of the genus Gorilla; endemic to the forests of Central Africa and typified by superlative physical size and strength in relation to other primates.

   In three of these twenty gorillæ 14 ribs are present, and the additional rib in each of them is below. […] The conclusion that the usual place of commencement of the dorsal type in the gorilla is between the 12th and 13th dorsal vertebræ is founded on notes taken of this character in 13 of these gorillæ.

2. 2
   noun

   A big and brutish man or a thug; a goon or ruffian.

   "I'll do the old gorilla the justice to say that he is open-handed with money."

3. 3
   noun

   A powerful person or organization; a heavyweight or behemoth.

   The two industry gorillas — IBM and AT&T — will get together to decide who will provide different communications services, Biddle stated.

4. 4
   noun

   largest anthropoid ape

5. 5
   noun

   1000 pounds sterling or dollar.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Γόριλλαι (Górillai, “Gorillai (a tribe of hairy women)”), described by Hanno the Navigator, a Carthaginian navigator and possible visitor to the area that later became Sierra Leone; the Greek word is likely from Punic, and ultimately from an African language.