chacma, noun

/ˈtʃækmə/
Forms:
Also with initial capital.
Plurals:
chacmas, or unchanged.
Origin:
KhoikhoiShow more Adaptation of Khoikhoi chöachamma, choa kamma, chōakkamma, t’chackamma.
In full chacma baboon: a southern African species of baboon, Papio ursinus of the Cercopithecidae; baviaan sense 1 a; bobbejaan sense 1 a.
[1731 G. Medley tr. of P. Kolben’s Present State of Cape of G.H. I. 33A Collection of Hottentot Words, with their Interpretation.]
[1731 G. Medley tr. of P. Kolben’s Present State of Cape of G.H. I. 35Chõakãmma, A Baboon.]
1835 Penny Cyclopaedia III. 229The Chacma, so called from the Hottentot word T’Chackamma, the aboriginal name of this baboon in South Africa..when full grown, is equal in size, and much superior in strength, to a common English mastiff.
1855 M. Reid Bush Boys 447Totty dispersing the Chacmas.
1866 J. Leyland Adventures 89Baboons or Chacma, (Cynocephalus Porcarius,) are very abundant in the mountain districts of the Colony.
1900 W.L. Sclater Mammals of S. Afr. I. 15The chacma is an inhabitant of the steep and rocky krantzes which abound in all parts of Africa.
1932 S. Zuckerman Soc. Life Monkeys & Apes 200The barks of the Chacma are almost indistinguishable from those of the Hamadryas baboon.
1934 Outspan 13 July 22On the face of the kranz were many clefts and crannies..accessible only to the Chacma baboons.
a1936 E.N. Marais Soul of Ape (1969) 64The mental processes of the chacmas are generally so human-like that it proved impossible to submit them to a critical examination without accepting as a standard our common human experience.
1951 A. Roberts Mammals 9It has even been necessary to organize commandos of farmers armed with fire-arms and often supported by dogs, to surround and exterminate these Chacma Baboons.
1988 A. Hall-Martin et al. Kaokoveld 30The Chacma baboon is the most widespread of the primates and is found scattered throughout the Kaokoveld except for the waterless regions.
1990 Sunday Times 18 Nov. (Mag. Sect.) 14A Chacma Baboon became a railroad signalman near Uitenhage, South Africa, earning twenty cents a day and half a bottle of beer on Saturdays.
In full chacma baboon:a southern African species of baboon, Papio ursinus of the Cercopithecidae; baviaan sense 1 a; bobbejaan sense 1 a.
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