donkey power
donkey power · donkey powers
A unit of power equal to 250 watts, or about one third of a horsepowerA unit of power equal to 250 watts, or about one third of a horsepower.
Meaning
2 senses(humorous)A unit of power equal to 250 watts, or about one third of a horsepower.
The Yugo car was famous for how anemic its engine was, but its output sounded more impressive when reported in donkey power.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: motive power provided by one or more donkeys.
In that era, most of the equipment in this mine was run by donkey power.
Origin
The humorous unit of power is modelled on horsepower, since a donkey is a less powerful drThe humorous unit of power is modelled on horsepower, since a donkey is a less powerful draught animal than a horse.
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Forms
plural: donkey powers| Singular | donkey power |
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| Plural | donkey powers |
regular