dictionary help1. <zoology> A quadruped of the genus Equus (E. Asinus), smaller than the horse, and having a peculiarly harsh bray and long ears. The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. There are several species of wild asses which are swift-footed.
2. A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt. Asses' Bridge. [L. Pons asinorum] The fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid, "The angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal to one another." "A schoolboy, stammering out his Asses' Bridge." . To make an ass of one's self, to do or say something very foolish or absurd.
Origin: OE. Asse, AS. Assa; akin to Icel. Asni, W. Asen, asyn, L. Asinus, dim. Aselus, Gr.; also to AS. Esol, OHG. Esil, G. Esel, Goth. Asilus, Dan. Aesel, Lith. Asilas, Bohem. Osel, Pol. Osiel. The word is prob. Of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. Athn she ass. Cf. Ease.
(01 Mar 1998)
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