jenny

¹

[jen-ee]

noun

plural

jennies 

1. spinning jenny.

2. the female of certain animals, especially a female donkey or a female bird.

   a jenny wren.

jenny

²

Or jen·nie

[jen-ee]

noun

Nautical Slang.

plural

jennies 

1. genoa.

jenny

/ ˈdʒɛnɪ /

noun

1. a hand-operated machine for turning up the edge of a piece of sheet metal in preparation for making a joint

2. the female of certain animals or birds, esp a donkey, ass, or wren

3. short for spinning jenny

4. billiards snooker an in-off See long jenny short jenny

Word History and Origins

Origin of jenny¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; generic use of Jenny, proper name

Origin of jenny²

Shortening and alteration of Genoa

Word History and Origins

Origin of jenny¹

C17: from the name Jenny, diminutive of Jane

Example Sentences

While the spinning jenny was key to 18th century automation of the textiles industry, they found it led to longer working hours in harsher conditions.

From Reuters

“Scientific evidence for intelligence in donkeys could expose their historical unmerited cognitive derogatory status,” the report begins about the species — the male of which is called a jack and the female is a jenny.

From Washington Post

Creeping jenny or a trailing rosemary will extend down the side of a tall pot, providing an attractive asymmetrical note.

From Seattle Times

There is a direct line of descent from the Strasbourg clock to the spinning jenny.

From Literature

One, called “jenny’s trying,” is just one line: “why hide?”

From New York Times

Related Words

• burro 
• horse 
• mule 

When To Use

What does jenny mean?

The word jenny is used to refer to certain female animals, especially a female donkey or female bird.When capitalized, Jenny is a proper name. Its sense referring to female donkeys is typically used in technical discussions of breeding. Unrelatedly, jenny can also refer to the spinning jenny, a machine for spinning yarn.Example: I raise donkeys, and our jenny just had a foal.