Onager
/ˈɒn.ə.dʒər/noun
A wild ass of Asia and North Africa, or a Roman torsion siege engine.
Did you know?The siege engine called an onager got its name because its violent recoil was compared to a wild ass kicking back with explosive force.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
ὄναγρος (ónagros)
“A wild ass”
Latin
Lat
onager
“A wild ass; later, a Roman torsion catapult”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
LL
onager
“A wild ass; a siege engine named for its kicking motion”
Middle English
ME
onager
“A wild ass (learned borrowing)”
Modern English
English
onager
“A wild ass of Asia and North Africa, or a Roman siege engine”