Onolatry

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of revering donkeys, often within religious or cultural frameworks, highlights a distinctive form of animal devotion
2. This practice involves the worship of donkeys, recognizing their importance in specific belief systems or traditions
3. The practice of showing great love and reverence for donkeys can be seen in various cultural or religious beliefs

Etymology: The Greek "onos" meant "ass," the humble beast of burden, and "latreia" meant worship or service. Joined together, they produced "onolatreia," a term for the worship of donkeys, which passed into Latin as "onolatria" and from there into English. The word is a straightforward compound of two Greek elements, and its meaning is exactly what its parts suggest. The interest lies less in the word's history than in the use it names. Worship of donkeys is a practice that ancient writers mockingly attributed to others rather than to a respected cult of their own, so the term carries a built-in note of ridicule. Its formation follows the same pattern as other Greek-derived "-latry" words such as "idolatry" and "bibliolatry," where the second element marks devotion of any kind.