donkey
Use Donkey in a sentence
ki, ˈdɔŋ-, ˈdʌŋ- noun
1.
the domestic ass, Equus asinus.
2.
(since 1874) a representation of this animal as the emblem of the U.S. Democratic party.
3.
a stupid, silly, or obstinate person.
4.
a woodworking apparatus consisting of a clamping frame and saw, used for cutting marquetry veneers.
adjective
5.
Machinery. auxiliary: donkey engine; donkey pump; donkey boiler.
00:10
Donkey
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Origin:
1775–85; perhaps alteration of Dunkey, hypocoristic form of Duncan, man's name
1775–85; perhaps alteration of Dunkey, hypocoristic form of Duncan, man's name
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To donkey
Collins
World English Dictionary
donkey (ˈdɒŋkɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Also called: ass a long-eared domesticated member of the horse family (Equidae), descended from the African wild ass (Equus asinus) |
| 2. | a stupid or stubborn person |
| 3. | slang, derogatory (Brit) a footballer known for his or her lack of skill: the players are a bunch of overpriced and overrated donkeys |
| 4. | talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey to talk endlessly |
| [C18: perhaps from dun dark + -key, as in monkey] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
donkey
1785, slang, perhaps from dun "dull grey-brown," the form perhaps infl. by monkey. Or possibly from a familiar form of Duncan (cf. dobbin). The older Eng. word was ass.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
donkey definition
A symbol of the Democratic party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare elephant.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
The mule combines the best features of the donkey with the best features of the horse.
He entered the city on the back of a donkey and was greeted with acclaim by small crowds, as the story goes.
In the back of the truck, there was a huge bucket of donkey meat.
Some hospitals are said to be using donkey carts in place of ambulances.
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