Word Study
onager
CIDE DICTIONARY
onager, n. [L. onager, onagrus, Gr. .].
- A military engine acting like a sling, which threw stones from a bag or wooden bucket, and was operated by machinery. Fairholt. [1913 Webster]
- A wild ass of central Asia, especially the
koulan (Equus hemionus syn.Equus hemippus syn.Equus onager , formelyAsinus onager ). [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
onager, n.
1 a wild ass, esp. Equus hemionus of Central Asia.
2 hist. an ancient military engine for throwing rocks.
1 a wild ass, esp. Equus hemionus of Central Asia.
2 hist. an ancient military engine for throwing rocks.
Etymology
ME f. L f. Gk onagros f. onos ass + agrios wild
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