donkey power en · NOUN
Etymology
The humorous unit of power is modelled on horsepower, since a donkey is a less powerful draught animal than a horse.
Meanings
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(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.
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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.
Coordinates
horsepower · humanpower · manpower · horse power