Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Donkey

Origin: Prob. Dun, in allusion to the colour of the animal _ a dim. Termination.

1. An ass; or (less frequently) a mule.

2. A stupid or obstinate fellow; an ass. Donkey engine, a small auxiliary engine not used for propelling, but for pumping water into the boilers, raising heavy weights, and like purposes. Donkey pump, a steam pump for feeding boilers, extinguishing fire, etc.; usually an auxiliary.

(Science: botany) Donkey's eye, the large round seed of the Mucuna pruriens, a tropical leguminous plant.