anserine

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ser·​ine
-rə̇n
1
a
: of, relating to, or resembling a goose
anserine characteristics
b
: stupid, silly
ridiculous anserine behavior
2
: of or belonging to the Anseres
the anserine birds

anserine

2 of 2

noun

an·​ser·​ine
-rə̇n
variants or less commonly anserin
-rə̇n
plural -s
: a crystalline base C10H16N4O3 found in the muscles of birds; methyl-carnosine

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin anserinus, from anser goose + -inus -ine

Noun

borrowed from German Anserin, from Latin anser "goose" + German -in -in entry 1, -ine entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anserine was in 1719

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Dictionary Entries Near anserine

Anseriformes

anserine

anserine skin

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Anserine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anserine. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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