mule-jenny

Mule Mule (m[=u]l), n. [F., a she-mule, L. mula, fem. of mulus; cf. Gr. my`klos, mychlo`s. Cf. AS. m[=u]l, fr. L. mulus. Cf. {Mulatto}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated between an ass and a mare. Sometimes the term is applied to the offspring of a horse and a she-ass, but that hybrid is more properly termed a {hinny}. See {Hinny}. [1913 Webster]

Note: Mules are much used as draught animals. They are hardy, and proverbial for stubbornness. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the pistil of one species with the pollen or fecundating dust of another; -- called also {hybrid}. [1913 Webster]

3. A very stubborn person. [1913 Webster]

4. A machine, used in factories, for spinning cotton, wool, etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; -- called also {jenny} and {mule-jenny}. [1913 Webster]

5. A slipper that has no fitting around the heel.

Syn: mules, scuff, scuffs. [WordNet 1.5]

{Mule armadillo} (Zo["o]l.), a long-eared armadillo (Tatusia hybrida), native of Buenos Ayres; -- called also {mulita}. See Illust. under {Armadillo}.

{Mule deer} (Zo["o]l.), a large deer ({Cervus macrotis} syn. {Cariacus macrotis}) of the Western United States. The name refers to its long ears.

{Mule pulley} (Mach.), an idle pulley for guiding a belt which transmits motion between shafts that are not parallel.

{Mule twist}, cotton yarn in cops, as spun on a mule; -- in distinction from yarn spun on a throstle frame. [1913 Webster]