a. [ L. Saturnius. ] 1. (Roman Myth.) Of or pertaining to Saturn, whose age or reign, from the mildness and wisdom of his government, is called the golden age. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence: Resembling the golden age; distinguished for peacefulness, happiness, contentment. [ 1913 Webster ] Augustus, born to bring Saturnian times. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Astron.) Of or pertaining to the planet Saturn; as, the Saturnian year. [ 1913 Webster ]
Saturnian verse (Pros.), a meter employed by early Roman satirists, consisting of three iambics and an extra syllable followed by three trochees, as in the line: -- Th&ebreve_; quēen | wăs īn | th&ebreve_; kītch | &ebreve_;n ‖ ēat&ibreve_;ng | brēad ănd | hōn&ebreve_;y. [ 1913 Webster ]
|