ass

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English assa, probably from Old Irish asan, from Latin asinus Date: before 12th century 1. any of several hardy gregarious African or Asian perissodactyl mammals (genus Equus) smaller than the horse and having long ears; especially an African mammal (E. asinus) that is the ancestor of the donkey 2. sometimes vulgar a stupid, obstinate, or perverse person <

made an ass of himself

> — often compounded with a preceding adjective <

don't be a smart-ass

> II. noun or arse Etymology: Middle English ars, ers, from Old English ærs, ears; akin to Old High German & Old Norse ars buttocks, Greek orrhos buttocks, oura tail Date: before 12th century 1. a. often vulgar buttocks — often used in emphatic reference to a specific person <

get your ass over here

> <

saved my ass

> b. often vulgar anus 2. usually vulgar sexual intercourse III. adverb Etymology: 2ass Date: circa 1920 often vulgar — used as a postpositive intensive especially with words of derogatory implication <

fancy-ass

>