Rhesus
/ˈɹiːsəs/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A macaque monkey native to southern and southeastern Asia; Macaca mulatta.
- 2 Denotes a system for categorising human blood types based on the presence or absence of various antigens, especially Rhesus factor D. also, attributive
- 3 of southern Asia; used in medical research wordnet
- 4 Alternative form of Rhesus. alt-of, alternative
Example
More examples"The deputy mayor of Delhi was indirectly killed by rhesus monkeys."
Etymology
Etymology 1
From New Latin rhēsus, arbitrary formation from Latin Rhēsus, from Ancient Greek Ῥῆσος (Rhêsos), mythical Thracian king.
Etymology 2
So named because the first identified antigen (RhD) was originally believed to be the same as one discovered in rhesus macaques.