Edit page | Page history | Printable version

saturnine

1. Born under, or influenced by, the planet saturn.

2. Heavy; grave; gloomy; dull; the opposite of mercurial; as, a saturnine person or temper.

3. (Science: chemistry) Of or pertaining to lead; characterised by, or resembling, lead, which was formerly called saturn.

(Science: medicine) Saturnine colic, lead colic.

Origin: 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.