Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Saturnian?

\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[e^] qu[=e]en | w[a^]s [imac]n | th[e^] k[imac]tch | [e^]n || [=e]at[i^]ng | br[=e]ad [a^]nd | h[=o]n[e^]y.
\Sa*tur"ni*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.) 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}.