donkey power
nounEtymology The humorous unit of power is modelled on horsepower, since a donkey is a less powerful draught animal than a horse.
1
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.
2
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.
- Related terms
- donkey engine, steam donkey, horse power