Onagers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of wild ass native to the Asian continent, known for its strength and speed
2. A historical reference to a large siege engine used in ancient warfare for hurling projectiles
3. A species that symbolizes resilience in harsh environments, often found in arid regions

Etymology: The plural of "onager" takes its name from a Greek compound meaning "wild ass." The Greek "ónos" meant "ass," and "ágrios" meant "wild," from "agrós," the countryside or field. Greek writers used the compound for the animal, and the same word was then applied to a large siege engine. That second sense is the more striking one. The catapult was called an onager because its strong recoil was likened to the kick of the wild ass. Medieval Greek, Latin and Old French all carried both senses forward, so the animal and the weapon came into English together in Middle English as "onager" and "onagir."

Synonyms: wild asses, equids, donkeys, burros, zebras