jennet

English

Alternative forms

• genet, ginnet, gennet, jinnet

Etymology

From French genet, from French genest (“small Spanish horse”), from Old Spanish ginete (“small fast horse”, also “light horseman”) (Spanish jinete), from Andalusian Arabic زَنَاتِي (zanáti), the Zenati or Zenata Berbers, known as excellent horse breeders. Doublet of Zenati.

Pronunciation

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Noun

jennet (plural jennets)

1. A female ass or donkey; a jenny.
2. A small Spanish horse.
   • 2020, Hilary Mantel, The Mirror and the Light, Fourth Estate, page 230:

     Richmondʼs black jennet [...] is a gleaming and well-muscled creature of Spanish breed.

Derived terms

• act the jennet

Translations

jenny — see jenny

small Spanish horse

• Irish: capaillín Spáinneach m

References

• “jennet”, in Collins English Dictionary.