Word Study
jenny
CIDE DICTIONARY
jenny, n.
- A familiar or pet form of the proper name
Jane . [1913 Webster] - A familiar name of the European wren. [1913 Webster]
jenny, n. [A corruption of gin an engine; influenced by Jenny, the proper name. See Gin an engine, and cf. Ginny-carriage.].
A machine for spinning a number of threads at once, -- used in factories. Also called spinning jenny . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
jenny, n. (pl. -ies)
1 hist. = spinning-jenny.
2 a female donkey or ass.
3 a locomotive crane.
1 hist. = spinning-jenny.
2 a female donkey or ass.
3 a locomotive crane.
Idiom
jenny-wren a popular name for a female wren.
Etymology
pet-form of the name Janet
THESAURUS
jenny
Partlet, Rocky Mountain canary, ass, biddy, bitch, bossy, brood mare, burro, cow, cuddy, dickey, doe, donkey, ewe, ewe lamb, filly, guinea hen, gyp, heifer, hen, hind, jack, jackass, jennet, jenny ass, lioness, mare, mule, nanny, nanny goat, neddy, peahen, roe, she-bear, she-goat, she-lion, silkworm, slut, sow, spider, spinner, spinning frame, spinning jenny, spinster, throstle, tigress, vixenROGET THESAURUS
jenny
Instrument
N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.For further exploring for "jenny" in Webster Dictionary Online