Serian
See also: serian
English edit
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsiɹi.ən/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɪɹi.ən/
- Rhymes: -ɪɹiən
Etymology 1 edit
From Seres + -ian, from Latin Seres (“the ancient northern Chinese”), from Ancient Greek, possibly from the Old Chinese word for silk.
Adjective edit
Serian (comparative more Serian, superlative most Serian)
- (historical or archaic) Synonym of Chinese or Northern Chinese, chiefly in the context of ancient Greco-Roman knowledge of China and its role as the origin of silk. [1605]
- Serian forests... Serian clothing... Serian insect...
Alternative forms edit
Derived terms edit
Proper noun edit
Serian (plural Serians)
- (historical or archaic, rare in the singular) Synonym of Chinese or Northern Chinese, chiefly in the context of ancient Greco-Roman knowledge of China.
Alternative forms edit
Related terms edit
Noun edit
Serian (plural Serians)
- (historical or archaic, rare in the singular) Synonym of Chinese or Northern Chinese, chiefly in the context of ancient Greco-Roman knowledge of China. [1606]
- 1996, Lawrence Norfolk, The Pope's Rhinoceros, page 38:
- On the easternmost edge of the world were the Serians, who made silk and bartered it in silence.
Alternative forms edit
Etymology 2 edit
Proper noun edit
Serian
- (linguistics, rare) A proposed language family including Seri, more often considered an isolate or a member of the Hokan family. [1915]
References edit
- “Serian, adj. & n.”, in OED Online , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
- “Serian, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.