I.a little ass, an ass's colt.
I. Lit.: “dossuarius,” Varr. R. R. 2, 6 fin.: asellus onustus auro, * Cic. Att. 1, 16: “tardus,” Verg. G. 1, 273: “lente gradiens,” Ov. M. 11, 179; so id. ib. 4, 27; Hor. S. 1, 9, 20; Vulg. Num. 16, 15; ib. Joan. 12, 14 al.—Prov.: “narrare fabellam surdo asello,” to preach to deaf ears, Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 199 (an imitation of a Greek proverb, Ὄνῳ τις ἔλεγε μῦθον : ὁ δὲ τὰ ὦτα ἐκίνει; cf. Schmid ad Hor. l. c.).—
II. Transf.
A. Of a man addicted to sensuality, Juv. 9, 92; Petr. 24 fin.; Hier. Vit. S. Hilar.—
B. Aselli, two stars in Cancer: “Sunt in signo Cancri duae stellae parvae, Aselli appellati,” Plin. 18, 35, 80, § 353; cf. Hyg. Astr 2, 23.—
C. A sea-fish much prized by the Romans, perh. cod or haddock, Varr. L. L. 5, § 77, p. 31 Müll.; cf. Plin. 9, 17, 28, § 61.—Prov.: “post asellum diaria non sumo,” after delicious fare I take no common food, Petr. 24.—
D. Asellus, a Roman cognomen, Cic. de Or. 2, 64, 258; Liv. 27, 41 al.
