Serian
See also: serian
English
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsiɹi.ən/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɪɹi.ən/
- Rhymes: -ɪɹiən
Etymology 1
From Seres + -ian, from Latin Seres (“the ancient northern Chinese”), from Ancient Greek, possibly from the Old Chinese word for silk.
Adjective
Alternative forms
Derived terms
- Serian worm
Proper noun
Serian (plural Serians)
Alternative forms
Noun
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
Proper noun
Serian
- (linguistics, rare) A proposed language family including Seri, more often considered an isolate or a member of the Hokan family. [1915]
References
- “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.
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