1Caribbean any of several shrubs of the tropical American genus Pedilanthus (family Euphorbiaceae), especially P. tithymaloides and P. bahamensis, the twigs of which produce a distinctive squeak when rubbed together.
2The lebbek, Albizia lebbek, whose dry pods make a chattering noise in the wind.
Origin
Early 20th century.
Definition of monkey fiddle in US English:
monkey fiddle
noun
1Caribbean any of several shrubs of the tropical American genus Pedilanthus (family Euphorbiaceae), especially P. tithymaloides and P. bahamensis, the twigs of which produce a distinctive squeak when rubbed together.
2The lebbek, Albizia lebbek, whose dry pods make a chattering noise in the wind.