ass
Meaning
-
- Any of several species of horse-like animals, especially Equus asinus, the domesticated of which are used as beasts of burden.
- A stupid person.
- (obsolete,slang) A compositor.
Synonyms
tooshie
hind end
caboose
mutton-head
stupid person
worthless person
the lower part
stupid fellow
African wild ass
domestic ass
scum bag
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/æs/
Etymology
From Middle English asse, from Old English assa, back-formed from assen (“she-ass”), from Celtic (compare Old Irish asan, Old Cornish asen), from Latin asinus. Displaced Old English esol, from Proto-West Germanic *asil, also a loanword from the same Latin word. Sense “stupid person” from the animal's reputation for stubbornness, going back to antiquity (compare Latin asinus (“slow-witted person”)).
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