Serian

See also: serian

English

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Seres + -ian, from Latin Seres (the ancient northern Chinese), from Ancient Greek, possibly from the Old Chinese word for silk.

Adjective

Serian (comparative more Serian, superlative most Serian)

  1. (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
Derived terms
  • Serian worm

Proper noun

Serian (plural Serians)

  1. (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

Noun

Serian (plural Serians)

  1. (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

Etymology 2

From Seri + -an.

Proper noun

Serian

  1. (linguistics, rare) A proposed language family including Seri, more often considered an isolate or a member of the Hokan family. [1915]

References

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