ass
1[ as ]
/ æs /
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noun
a long-eared, slow, patient, sure-footed domesticated mammal, Equus asinus, related to the horse, used chiefly as a beast of burden.
Also called wild ass . an African wild ass, kiang, onager, or any of their subspecies.
a stupid, foolish, or stubborn person.
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Origin of ass
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English asse, Old English assa, probably a pet name or diminutive form based on a Celtic form, e.g., Old Irish asan, Old Welsh asen, from Latin asinus; akin to Greek ónos “ass,” from a non-Indo-European language of Asia Minor, e.g., Sumerian anše “ass”
OTHER WORDS FROM ass
ass·like, adjectiveOther definitions for ass (2 of 4)
Origin of ass
2usage note for ass
See arse.
Other definitions for ass (3 of 4)
-ass
or -assed
a combining form of ass in the sense of “stupid person“ or “the buttocks,“ used in vulgar slang words as an intensifier or with disparaging intent: big-ass; stupid-ass.
Other definitions for ass (4 of 4)
ass.
abbreviation
assistant.
association.
assorted.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for ass (1 of 2)
ass1
/ (æs) /
noun
either of two perissodactyl mammals of the horse family (Equidae), Equus asinus (African wild ass) or E. hemionus (Asiatic wild ass). They are hardy and sure-footed, having longer ears than the horseRelated adjective: asinine
(not in technical use) the domesticated variety of the African wild ass; donkey
a foolish or ridiculously pompous person
not within an ass's roar of Irish informal not close to obtaining, winning, etcshe wasn't within an ass's roar of it
Word Origin for ass
Old English assa, probably from Old Irish asan, from Latin asinus; related to Greek onos ass
British Dictionary definitions for ass (2 of 2)
ass2
/ (æs) /
noun
mainly US and Canadian slang the buttocks
mainly US and Canadian slang the anus
mainly US and Canadian offensive, slang sexual intercourse or a woman considered sexually (esp in the phrase piece of ass)
cover one's ass slang, mainly US and Canadian to take such action as one considers necessary to avoid censure, ridicule, etc at a later time
Word Origin for ass
Old English ærs; see arse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with ass
ass
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.