Asininity
/ˌæsɪˈnɪnɪti/noun
The quality of being asinine; stupidity or foolishness.
Did you know?Asininity comes from Latin asinus, “donkey,” and its whole insult lineage reflects how donkeys became a classic symbol of stubborn stupidity in European speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁éḱs-
“A proposed ancient root behind Latin asinus, referring to the donkey/ass”
Latin
Latin
asinus
“Donkey; ass”
Latin
Latin
asininus
“Of or like a donkey; foolish, stupid”
Late Latin / Medieval French
Latin/French
asininus / asininitas
“Donkey-like quality; stupidity”
16th–17th Century
English
asininity
“The quality of being asinine; stupidity”