Dictionary > Ass

Ass

Ass
1. (Science: zoology) a quadruped of the genus equus (E. Asinus), smaller than the horse, and having a peculiarly harsh bray and long ears. The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. There are several species of wild asses which are swift-footed.
2. A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt. Asses bridge. Pons asinorum The fifth proposition of the first book of euclid, The angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal to one another. A schoolboy, stammering out his asses bridge. . To make an ass of one’s self, to do or say something very foolish or absurd.
Origin: oe. Asse, as. Assa; akin to Icel. Asni, W. Asen, asyn, L. Asinus, dim. Aselus, gr.; also to as. Esol, OHG. Esil, g. Esel, goth. Asilus, dan. Aesel, lith. Asilas, Bohem. Osel, Pol. Osiel. The word is prob. Of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. Athn she ass. Cf. Ease.

You will also like...

Independent Assortment and Crossing Over

This tutorial describes the independent assortment of chromosomes and crossing over as important events in meiosis. Read this tutorial to know more details in each of these meiotic events and how they promote genetic diversity in sexually-reproducing organisms...

Read More

Cell Structure

A typical eukaryotic cell is comprised of cytoplasm with different organelles, such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and so on. The cellular contents are surrounded by a double layer, cell membrane. These cellular structures and cell junctions are elaborated in this tutorial...

Read More

Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

Plant cells have plastids essential in photosynthesis. They also have an additional layer called cell wall on their cell exterior. Although animal cells lack these cell structures, both of them have nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc. Read this tutorial to learn plant cell structures and their roles in plants...

Read More

Genetic Information and Protein Synthesis

Genes are expressed through the process of protein synthesis. This elaborate tutorial provides an in-depth review of the different steps of the biological production of protein starting from the gene up to the process of secretion. Also included are topics on DNA replication during interphase of the cell cycle, DNA mutation and repair mechanisms, gene pool, modification, and diseases...

Read More

Plant Meristems and Growth

In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells differentiate and become specialized in relation to the function they will perform. Learn more about plant meristems in this tutorial...

Read More

Plant Metabolism

Plants are responsible for incredible feats of molecular transformation. Plant processes, such as photosynthesis, photophosphorylation, chemiosmosis, carbon fixing reactions, respiration, are presented in this tutorial...

Read More