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| n. pl. po·nies 1. A horse of any of several stocky breeds that are small in size when full grown, such as the Shetland pony. 2. a. Informal A racehorse. b. Sports A polo horse. 3. Something small for its kind, especially a small glass for beer or liqueur. 4. A word-for-word translation of a foreign language text, especially one used as an aid in studying or test-taking. Also called crib, trot. 5. Chiefly British The sum of 25 pounds. tr.v. po·nied, po·ny·ing, po·nies Phrasal Verb: To lead (a horse) with another horse. pony up Slang To pay (money owed or due). [Probably from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of poulain, colt, from Late Latin pullāmen, young of an animal, from Latin pullus; see pau-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. Pony up, possibly from Early Modern English legem pone, money down, cash payment, from Latin lēgem pōne, the first two words of the Vulgate translation of Psalms 119:33 (Legem pone mihi, domine, viam iustificationum tuarum, “Teach me, O Lord, the ways of thy statutes”), sung at Matins on Lady Day (March 25), a traditional quarter day when debts were paid : lēgem, accusative of lēx, law; see LEGAL + pōne, imperative singular of pōnere, to put; see POSITION.] |
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