Earthian

English

Alternative forms

• Earthean

Etymology

From Earth +‎ -ian.

Adjective

Earthian (comparative more Earthian, superlative most Earthian)

1. (science fiction) Of or from the planet Earth.

   Synonym: Earthish

   • 1955. Fantastic Universe: Science Fiction, Great American Publications: 1955, page 41:

     Septimus Spink, sole survivor of the Earthian space ship...

   • 1975. Hilary Putnam. Mind, Language, and Reality. Cambridge University Press: 1975, page 226:

     An Earthian metallurgist could tell very easily that 'aluminum' was molybdenum...

   • 1997. Diego Marconi. Lexical Competence. MIT Press: 1997, page 174:

     Nowadays speakers on Twin Earth are well aware (thanks to chemistry) that their word 'water' does not refer to the Earthian stuff.

Noun

Earthian (plural Earthians)

1. (science fiction) A person from planet Earth.

   Synonyms: Earthling, Terran; see also Thesaurus:Earthling

   • 1940. America: A Catholic Review of the Week, America Press: 1940, page 420:

     I inquired of one prominent Earthian: "What's of constructing ships and buildings...?"

   • 1955. Fantastic Universe: Science Fiction, Great American Publications, 1955, page 41:

     I most likely will be the second Earthian to reach that planet. ...

Proper noun

Earthian

1. (science fiction, rare) A universal language spoken on Earth.

   Synonym: Earthish

   • 1997. Diego Marconi. Lexical Competence. MIT Press: 1997, page 102:

     According to Fodor's definition, it follows that 'water' in Twin Earthian means XYZ and not H2O.

   • 2004. Sheri S. Tepper. The Companions. HarperCollins: 2004, page 79:

     I thought the females spoke Earthian to you. Improving their Earthian was why they asked for a couple.

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “Earthian, n.¹; Earthian, n.²; Earthian, adj.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Anagrams

• Haratine, Rhætian, aethrian, Rhaetian