pony

[ poh-nee ]

noun

, plural po·nies.

1. a small horse of any of several breeds, usually not higher at the shoulder than 14½ hands (58 inches/146 centimeters).
2. a horse of any small type or breed.
3. Slang. a literal translation or other text, used illicitly as an aid in schoolwork or while taking a test; crib.
4. something small of its kind.
5. a small glass for liquor.
6. the amount of liquor it will hold, usually one ounce (29.6 milliliters).
7. a small beverage bottle, often holding seven ounces (196 grams):

   We bought a dozen ponies of Mexican beer.

8. Older Slang. a diminutive chorus girl.
9. pony pack.
10. British Slang. the sum of 25 pounds.

verb (used with object)

, po·nied, po·ny·ing.

1. Slang. to prepare (lessons) by means of a pony.
2. Racing Slang.
   1. to be the outrider for (a racehorse).
   2. to exercise (a racehorse) by having a rider mounted on another horse lead it at a gallop around a track.

verb (used without object)

, po·nied, po·ny·ing.

1. to prepare a lesson or lessons with the aid of a pony.

pony

/ ˈpəʊnɪ /

noun

1. any of various breeds of small horse, usually under 14.2 hands
2. 1. a small drinking glass, esp for liqueurs
   2. the amount held by such a glass
3. anything small of its kind
4. slang.
   a sum of £25, esp in bookmaking
5. slang.
   Also calledtrot a literal translation used by students, often illicitly, in preparation for foreign language lessons or examinations; crib

Word History and Origins

Origin of pony¹

First recorded in 1650–60; earlier powney, from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of poulain “colt,” from Medieval Latin pullānus ( Latin pull(us) “young animal” + -ānus adjective suffix); foal, -an, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of pony¹

C17: from Scottish powney, perhaps from obsolete French poulenet a little colt, from poulain colt, from Latin pullus young animal, foal

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pony up, Informal. to pay (money), as in settling an account:

   Next week you'll have to pony up the balance of the loan.

More idioms and phrases containing pony

• dog-and-pony show

Example Sentences

Cuts in Washington could force California to either pony up more money or shrink existing programs.

From Los Angeles Times

“In L.A., pumpkin patches are typically in parking lots. This one was on a beautiful apple orchard and they had pony rides and they had a corn maze.”

From Los Angeles Times

And since less than $7 billion of that sum is budgeted, local, state and federal governments would have to pony up three times what they’re planning.

From Los Angeles Times

We only have three weeks left before we know who prevails: the pink pony girls or the fascists who want to stomp them out.

From Salon

Her sister Rebecca said her defining memory of Ms Simpson was the joy that shone from her as she rode her ponies.

From BBC