English edit

Etymology edit

From Wagner +‎ -ian.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

Wagnerian (comparative more Wagnerian, superlative most Wagnerian)

  1. Of, or characteristic of Richard Wagner, or his music; (by extension) of epic dimensions.
    • 1949 September 4, H. R. Trevor-Roper, “Hitler Reappraised, Ten Years After”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:
      Clearly, Hitler saw his historical function as a Wagnerian grand opera. Vast cosmic changes required an accompaniment of slaughter on a colossal scale.
    • 1976 August 14, Gary Jane Hoisington, “Locker Room As The Site Of Religious Ecstasy”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 7, page 9:
      It is a glossy film with gross, opulent opticals and little comic, or any, relief; it has the jaundiced complexion of an early 60s underground film, which it is; it is ponderous, Wagnerian, and feels about five hours long (its running time is about an hour).
    • 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 188:
      Thus Gilgamesh and Enkidu as a dyad express a Wagnerian leitmotif that plays upon themes from racial memories of the two different races at the dawn of hominization.

Translations edit

Noun edit

Wagnerian (plural Wagnerians)

  1. An admirer of Richard Wagner.
    Synonym: Wagnerite
    Hyponyms: Ringhead, Ringnut
  2. A musician who plays Wagnerian music.
  3. An opera singer who specializes in Wagnerian roles.

Translations edit