aye-aye

plural aye-ayes · alternative ayeaye

1. The lemur Daubentonia madagascariensis, a solitary nocturnal quadruped found in Madagascar and remarkable for their long fingers, sharp nails, and rodent-like incisor teeth.

   Refer the following to their respective orders and families:—anteater, ayeaye, canary, cinchilla, dodo, flamingo, flying fox, giraffe, hornbill, lyre bird, mole, paradise bird, porpoise, swift, walrus.

   1864, Edward P[ercival] Wright, “Moderatorships in Experimental and Natural Science[: Zoology]”, in Dublin Examination Papers: Being a Supplement to the University Calendar for the Year 1864, Dublin: Printed at the University Press, Hodges, Smith, & Co., Grafton-Street, booksellers to the University; London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, & Green, →OCLC, page 228

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   The other of these aberrant forms is the cheiromys, or aye-aye, which, from the peculiar form of its two lower front teeth, has been ranged with the Rodentia. In the general character, however, it is essentially a lemur; […]

   1849, “Order II.—Quadrumana, [from the Latin, quatuor, four, and manus, hand; four-handed.]”, in D[avid] M[eredith] Reese, editor, Elements of Zoology; or, Natural History of Animals. From the Last Edinburgh Edition (Chambers' Educational Course; [no. 6]), 3rd American edition, New York, N.Y.: Published by A[lfred] S[mith] Barnes & Co. No. 51 John Street; Cincinnati, Oh.: H. W. Derby & Co., →OCLC, page 57

   Of the other members of this group, the Aye Aye (Cheiromys), the Tarsier (Tarsius), the Propithecus, the Indri (Lichanotus), and the Cheirogaleus, are desiderata of which we can only hope to become possessed by the future exertions of zoologists who may obtain access to the countries in which they live.

   1858, D[avid] W[illiam] Mitchell, Guide to the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London, London: Bradbury and Evans, 11, Bouverie Street, and at the [Zoological] Society [of London]'s Gardens in the Regent's Park, →OCLC, page 41

   The true position of that very rare animal the Aye-aye, seems very doubtful, some naturalists placing it in the position which it occupies in this work, and others, such as [Jan] [v]an der Hoeven, considering it to form a link between the monkeys and the rodent animals. […] It is probable that the natural food of the Aye-aye, like that of the preceding animals, is of a mixed character, and that it eats fruit and insects indiscriminately. In captivity it usually fed on boiled rice, which it picked up in minute portions, like Amine in the "Arabian Nights," using, however, its slender fingers in lieu of the celebrated bodkin with which she made her mock meal.

   1865, J[ohn] G[eorge] Wood, “Quadrumana; or, The Monkey Tribe”, in The Illustrated Natural History, volume I (Mammalia), London: George Routledge and Sons, Broadway, Ludgate Hill; New York, 129, Grand Street, →OCLC, page 110

   He does look a bit odd, what with those parachute ears and the round, mad, yellow, staring pop-eyes and the oversize forepaws hung so awkwardly close to his chest. He's named the aye-aye, which probably does not improve the image. But he's a lemur, hence a primate and a cousin to man. A resident of Madagascar, he is threatened with extinction; there are no more than 50 aye-ayes in all the world.

   1968 May 24, Michael Mok, “The Aye-Aye, Man’s Imperiled Cousin”, in George P. Hunt, editor, Life, volume 64, number 21, Chicago, Ill.: Time, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 102, column 1

1. alternativeAlternative form of aye aye.

   “I thought I could just deliver a lecture and they were going to say ‘Aye-aye,’ ” [Phil] Lehman said, reflecting on his first days at Manos. “That couldn’t have been farther from the truth.”

   2013 March 16, Brett Hambright, “Manos House director recalls success stories”, in Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era, 6th year, number 14, Lancaster, Pa.: Lancaster Newspapers, →OCLC, page B1, column 4

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   “I have a thought that doth annoy my soul,” he may reply. “For teacher tells us all that we should leave the schoolhouse naturally, and furthermore says she is hep that only convicts must keep step, or men who play the soldiers game (which she believes is much the same”). / “Aye-aye, my son,” I said, “proceed.”

   1915 September 26, Dean Collins, “Gleams Through the Mist”, in The Sunday Oregonian, volume XXXIV, number 39, Portland, Ore., →ISSN, →OCLC, section 3 (Editorial and Society), page 6, column 7

   “Shiver me timbers,” I said to my husband, Peter, “we’re off to Greenwich in southeast London.” / “What the heck are you talking about?” he asked, scowling. / “Pirates,” I said. / “Aye-aye,” he said, “let’s go.”

   1992 May 23, Suzanne Cassidy, “Across the Pond: Practical lore from west of Pittsburgh”, in Lancaster New Era, 116th year, number 36,054, Lancaster, Pa., →OCLC, page A-11, column 1

   “[…] When someone asks you to do something, you do it. All right?” / “Yes,” they said. / “Thank you,” Lise said, looking forward again. “That goes for you too, buster.” / “Aye-aye,” Ken said.

   2002, Stewart O’Nan, chapter 2, in Wish You Were Here (Emily Maxwell; 1), New York, N.Y.: Grove Press, →ISBN, page 22