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

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

• Serean

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

• Serean

Related terms

• Seric
• Serica
• Serican

 

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

• Serean

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

• “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.