English

Pronunciation

• ăs, /æs/, /{s/
• (alternative Commonwealth pronunciation in sense of "stupid person" only): äs, /ɑːs/, /A:s/

Etymology 1

From the Old English assa, from probable hypocoristic form of Old Irish asan which entered the language through the Northumbrian dialect of O.E. Other Germanic tongues had no such word instead using forms similar to esol which does exist in O.E. The Celtic word comes from Latin asinus and before this, (cf. Greek onos. This word has a Semitic origin, probably Hebrew, ahton "she-ass" .

Noun

ass (plural asses)

1. (zoology) A beast of burden, a donkey.
2. (slang) A stupid person; derived from (1), but more commonly associated with the second etymology (Etymology 2).

   Damn! That new kid left the cap off of the syrup bottle again! What an ass.

3. (slang) Used in similes to express something bad or unpleasant.

   I feel like ass today (I do not feel well.)

   This pizza tastes like ass. (This pizza tastes bad.)

4. (slang) Used after an adjective to indicate extremes or excessiveness.

   That was one big-ass fish! or That's an expensive-ass car!

Synonyms

• (beast of burden): donkey
• (stupid person): fool, idiot

Translations

animal

stupid person

Etymology 2

Used chiefly in the US. A vulgar usage of arse (used in the UK and Australia), from a Germanic root thought to be ars-oz. Cognates include the Old High German/Old Norse ars (now arsch in German), Old Frisian, ers and Greek orrhos.

Noun

ass (plural asses)

1. (slang) The buttocks of a person or animal.
2. (vulgar slang) Women, particularly when considered as a sex object.

   I'm going to go down to the bar and try to get me some ass.

Synonyms

• (buttocks): See WikiSaurus:buttocks
• (women): piece of ass , pussy, skirt, tail

Derived terms

• asshole

Translations

buttocks

women

Swedish

Noun

ass

1. (music) A-flat

Abbreviation

ass

1. Abbreviation of assurerat .