n. & v.
n. 1 a either of two kinds of four-legged long-eared mammal of the horse genus Equus, E. africanus of Africa and E. hemionus of Asia. b (in general use) a donkey. 2 a stupid person.
v.intr. sl. (foll. by about, around) act the fool. asses' bridge = PONS ASINORUM. make an ass of make (a person) look absurd or foolish.
[ OE assa thr. OCelt. f. L asinus ]