World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDonkey
/ˈdɒŋ.ki/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A domesticated hoofed mammal of the horse family with long ears, smaller than a horse, traditionally used as a pack animal.
"The farmer used a sturdy donkey to carry heavy loads up the steep mountain path." - 2
A stupid or stubborn person.
"Stop acting like a donkey and listen to what the instructor is trying to tell you."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The origin of the word 'donkey' is somewhat obscure, appearing in the late 18th century as a variant of Duncan (a proper name), or possibly related to 'dun' referring to the animal's color, combined with the diminutive suffix -kin or -key. It gradually replaced the older term 'ass' in standard colloquial English to avoid the latter's homophonic conflation with profanity.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Donkey"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Donkey" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
âne
Transliteration: an
"L'âne porte les bagages sur le sentier."
Esel
Transliteration: ezel
"Der Esel trug die schweren Säcke."
asino
Transliteration: azino
"L'asino è un animale molto paziente."
burro
Transliteration: buro
"El burro descansaba bajo la sombra del árbol."
burro
Transliteration: buro
"O burro ajudava o camponês na colheita."
गधा
Transliteration: gadha
"गधा भारी सामान ढोने के काम आता है।"
驴
Transliteration: lǘ
"这只驴帮农民驮着很多货物。"
당나귀
Transliteration: dangnagi
"당나귀가 짐을 싣고 길을 걷고 있습니다."
ロバ
Transliteration: roba
"ロバは荷物を運ぶために飼育されることが多い。"
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