saturnine

The definition of saturnine is someone or someplace that is gloomy, dark, moody or mysterious.

(adjective)

  1. A shadowy haunted mansion is an example of someplace that would be described as saturnine.
  2. Your next door neighbor who snaps at you for everything and who is always disgruntled is an example of someone who would be described as saturnine.

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See saturnine in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. Astrol. born under the influence of the planet Saturn
  2. sluggish, morose, or taciturn
  3. Origin: < ML Saturnus, alchemists' term for lead, which they considered to be very cold, like the planet

    having lead poisoning

Origin: OFr saturnin, of Saturn < L Saturnus, Saturn

Related Forms:

See saturnine in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Having the temperament of one born under the supposed astrological influence of Saturn.
  2. a. Melancholy or sullen.
    b. Having or marked by a tendency to be bitter or sardonic: a saturnine expression on his face.
  3. Produced by absorption of lead.

Related Forms:

  • satˈur·nineˌly adverb

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