mule

Word family

• mulish
  adjectiveC1
• mulishly
  adverbC2
• mulishness
  nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A mule is the hybrid offspring of a female horse and a male donkey, combining the strength of a horse with the sure-footedness and endurance of a donkey. A donkey is a separate species (Equus africanus asinus), smaller than most horses and known for its long ears, braying call, and stubborn reputation. A hinny is the less common opposite cross — a male horse with a female donkey — and is typically smaller than a mule. A horse is larger, faster, and more widely used for riding, but it is less steady on rough terrain and requires more food than a mule. For example, a farmer in a rocky mountain area would choose a mule over a horse for carrying supplies, while a donor to a charity might choose to buy a donkey for a village in need of a smaller, cheaper pack animal.

Etymology

The word mule comes from Old English mūl, which was borrowed from Latin mūlus, the classical name for the hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey. The Latin term may itself have been adapted from a word in an ancient Mediterranean language spoken before the rise of Rome. The sense of 'drug courier' emerged in the late 20th century, drawing on the idea of the animal carrying burdens. The fashion sense ('backless shoe') dates from the 1500s, originally a kind of slipper worn by both men and women, and was revived in the 20th century as a women's style.