Sat`ur*na"li*a (?), n. pl. [L. See Saturn.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) The
festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day,
but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license
and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.
2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the
passions or vices have riotous indulgence.
Sat`ur*na"li*an (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Saturnalia.
2. Of unrestrained and intemperate jollity; riotously merry; dissolute.
"Saturnalian amusement." Burke.
Sa*tur"ni*an (?), a. [L. Saturnius.] 1. (Roman Myth.) Of or pertaining
to Saturn, whose age or reign, from the mildness and wisdom of his
government, is called the golden age.
2. Hence: Resembling the golden age; distinguished for peacefulness,
happiness, contentment.
Augustus, born to bring Saturnian times.
Pope.
3. (Astron.) Of or pertaining to the planet Saturn; as, the Saturnian
year.
Saturnian verse (Pros.), a meter employed by early Roman satirists,
consisting of three iambics and an extra syllable followed by three
trochees, as in the line: -- Th quen | ws n | th ktch | n || atng |
brad nd | hny.
Sa*tur"ni*an, n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large handsome
moths belonging to Saturnia and allied genera. The luna moth,
polyphemus, and promethea, are examples. They belong to the Silkworn
family, and some are raised for their silk. See Polyphemus.
Sat`urn*i*cen"tric (?), a. (Astron.) Appearing as if seen from the
center of the planet Saturn; relating or referred to Saturn as a
center.
Sat"ur*nine (?), a. [L. Saturnus the god Saturn, also, the planet
Saturn: cf. F. saturnin of or pertaining to lead (Saturn, in old
chemistry, meaning lead), saturnien saturnine, saturnian. See Saturn.]
1. Born under, or influenced by, the planet Saturn.
2. Heavy; grave; gloomy; dull; -- the opposite of mercurial; as, a
saturnine person or temper. Addison.
3. (Old Chem.) Of or pertaining to lead; characterized by, or
resembling, lead, which was formerly called Saturn. [Archaic]
Saturnine colic (Med.), lead colic.
Sat"ur*nism (?), n. (Med.) Plumbism. Quain.
Sat"ur*nist (?), n. A person of a dull, grave, gloomy temperament. W.
Browne.
Sa"tyr (?; 277), n. [L. satyrus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. satyre.] 1. (Class.
Myth.) A sylvan deity or demigod, represented as part man and part
goat, and characterized by riotous merriment and lasciviousness.
Rough Satyrs danced; and Fauns, with cloven heel, From the glad
sound would not be absent long.
Milton.
2. (Zoöl.) Any one of many species of butterflies belonging to the
family Nymphalidæ. Their colors are commonly brown and gray, often with
ocelli on the wings. Called also meadow browns.