n. [ L. Saturnus, literally, the sower, fr. serere, satum, to sow. See Season. ] 1. (Roman Myth.) One of the elder and principal deities, the son of Coelus and Terra (Heaven and Earth), and the father of Jupiter. The corresponding Greek divinity was Kro`nos, later CHro`nos, Time. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) One of the planets of the solar system, next in magnitude to Jupiter, but more remote from the sun. Its diameter is seventy thousand miles, its mean distance from the sun nearly eight hundred and eighty millions of miles, and its year, or periodical revolution round the sun, nearly twenty-nine years and a half. It is surrounded by a remarkable system of rings, and has eight satellites. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Alchem.) The metal lead. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ L. See Saturn. ] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Saturnalia. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of unrestrained and intemperate jollity; riotously merry; dissolute. “Saturnalian amusement.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large handsome moths belonging to Saturnia and allied genera. The luna moth, polyphemus, and promethea, are examples. They belong to the Silkworn family, and some are raised for their silk. See Polyphemus. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

a. (Astron.) Appearing as if seen from the center of the planet Saturn; relating or referred to Saturn as a center. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Saturnus the god Saturn, also, the planet Saturn: cf. F. saturnin of or pertaining to lead (Saturn, in old chemistry, meaning lead), saturnien saturnine, saturnian. See Saturn. ] 1. Born under, or influenced by, the planet Saturn. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heavy; grave; gloomy; dull; -- the opposite of mercurial; as, a saturnine person or temper. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Old Chem.) Of or pertaining to lead; characterized by, or resembling, lead, which was formerly called Saturn. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Saturnine colic (Med.), lead colic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) Plumbism. Quain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person of a dull, grave, gloomy temperament. W. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]