Serian

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See also: serian

English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From Seres +‎ -ian, from Latin Seres (the ancient northern Chinese), from Ancient Greek, possibly from the Old Chinese word for silk.

Adjective

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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
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Derived terms
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Proper noun

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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.
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Noun

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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
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Etymology 2

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From Seri +‎ -an.

Proper noun

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Serian

  1. (linguistics, rare) A proposed language family including Seri, more often considered an isolate or a member of the Hokan family. [1915]

References

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