Ass, n.
n. [O. Eng. asse, A-S. assa, O. Fr. ase, asen, asne, N. Fr. âne, Pr. aze, asne, Dan. asen, Sw. åsna, Icel. asni, esne, Celt. asen, asan, asyn, Lat. asinus, dim. asellus, Goth. asilus, A-S. eosol, esol, asal, Dan. äsel, O. H. Ger. esil, N. H. Ger. esel, Lith. asilas, Bohem. osel, Pol. osiel.]
Sense 1. (Zool.) A quadruped of the genus Equus (E. asinus), having a peculiarly harsh bray, long, slouching ears, and being usually of an ash color, with a black bar across the shoulders. The tame or domestic ass is patient to stupidity, and slow, but sure-footed. Hence,
Sense 2. A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt.
