saturnine etymology

Etymology:

The word "saturnine" derives from the Latin word "saturninus," which in turn originates from the name of the Roman god Saturn (Greek Kronos).

Meaning:

Saturnine describes a person or their disposition as:

• Grave, serious, or melancholy
• Gloomy, withdrawn, or pessimistic
• Morose, sullen, or taciturn

Origin:

The god Saturn was associated with melancholy and despair in Roman mythology. He was depicted as an elderly, bearded figure with a scythe, representing the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The saturnine temperament was thus attributed to those who were afflicted by or associated with these negative emotions.

Over time, the term "saturnine" has expanded in meaning to encompass a broader range of negative personality traits, including aloofness, cynicism, and pessimism. It has also become associated with certain physical characteristics, such as a dark complexion and piercing eyes.

Examples:

• "He was a saturnine man, given to brooding and introspective thought."
• "The room had a saturnine atmosphere, with its dim lighting and heavy curtains."
• "Her saturnine expression suggested that she had little hope for the future."

saturnine relate terms

• Saturn

  Etymology The name Saturn derives from the Latin word Saturnus which is thought to have

• sour

  Etymology The word sour comes from the Old English word sūr which is believed to b

• ours

  Etymology The word ours comes from the Old French word urs which is derived from the

• moody

  Etymology The word moody originated in the Middle English mod meaning mind courage

• dark

  Etymology The word dark originates from the Proto Indo European root derḱ meaning

• sullen

  Etymology Middle English sulen from Old Norse sulli sullen heavy sad gloomy M

• glum

  Etymology The word glum is derived from the Middle English word glommen meaning to

• aesthetic

  Etymology Aesthetic derives from the Greek word aisthētikos which means pertaining

• seal

  Etymology of Seal The word seal derives from the Old English word seolh which orig

• prophet

  Etymology Ancient Greek προφήτης prophētēs Latin propheta Meaning A

• communication

  Etymology The word communication derives from the Latin word communicare meaning to