different between donkey vs asses

English

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. Originally a slang term from the late eighteenth century. Perhaps from Middle English *donekie (“a miniature dun horse”), a double diminutive of Middle English don, dun, dunne (a name for a dun horse), equivalent to modern English dun (“brownish grey colour”) + -ock (diminutive suffix) + -ie (diminutive suffix). Compare Middle English donning (“a dun horse”), English dunnock.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?d??ki/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?d??ki/, /?d??ki/; (rare and nonstandard) /?d??ki/
• Rhymes: -??ki
• Hyphenation: don?key

Noun

donkey (plural donkeys)

1. A domestic animal, Equus asinus asinus, similar to a horse.
2. A stubborn person.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:stubborn person

3. A fool.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:fool

4. (nautical) A small auxiliary engine.

   Synonym: donkey engine

5. (naval slang, dated) A box or chest, especially a toolbox.
6. (poker slang) A bad poker player.

Hyponyms

• jack
• jackass
• jenny

Derived terms

Descendants

• ? Afrikaans: donkie
• ? Northern Sotho: tonki
• ? Tok Pisin: donki

Translations

See also

• ass
• mule
• hinny

Further reading

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “donkey”, in Online Etymology Dictionary
• “donkey” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

References

• (box or chest): 1930, Naval Review (London) (volume 18, page 592)

English

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æs?z/
• Rhymes: -æs?z

Noun

asses

1. plural of ass

See also

• Appendix: Animals
• Appendix:English collective nouns

Etymology 2

Latin ass?s, nominative plural of as

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æs?z/, (Latinistic) /?æsi?z/

Noun

asses

1. plural of as (“Roman coin”)

Anagrams

• Essas, SASEs, Sasse, Sessa, sasse, sessa

Latin

Verb

ass?s

1. second-person singular present active subjunctive of ass?

Portuguese

Verb

asses

1. second-person singular present subjunctive of assar
2. second-person singular negative imperative of assar