1 a domestic ass.
2 colloq. a stupid or foolish person.
Phrases and idioms:
donkey engine a small auxiliary engine. donkey jacket a thick weatherproof jacket worn by workers and as a fashion garment. donkey's years colloq. a very long time. donkey-work the laborious part of a job; drudgery.
Etymology: earlier with pronunc. as monkey: perh. f. DUN(1), or the Christian name Duncan
Useful english dictionary. 2012.