Sardian, a. and n.
(ˈsɑːdɪən)
[ad. L. Sardiānus, a. Gr. σαρδιᾱνός, Ionic -ηνός, f. σάρδεις pl., L. Sardīs, Sardēs, the name of the ancient capital of Lydia.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Sardis.
Sardian acorn, Sardian nut, a chestnut, Castanea vesca. Sardian stone = sard n.1
| 1551 Turner Herbal i. (1568) H vj, Castanea..is named in englyshe a chesnut tree... The frute of it is called of som glans sardiana, that is a sardiane acorne. 1714 Eusden On Addison's Cato A.'s Wks. 1830 II. 57 Here the Sardian stone is seen, The topaz yellow, and the jasper green. 1830 tr. Aristoph., Acharnians 9 Tell me clearly,..lest I dip you in a Sardian dye. 1847 Grote Greece ii. xvii. III. 343 His monument..erected near Sardis by the joint efforts of the whole Sardian population. |
B. n.
1. An inhabitant of Sardis.
| 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. iii. xiii. (1622) 83 The Sardians brought in matters of latter memory. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iv. iii. 3 You haue condemn'd, and noted Lucius Pella For taking Bribes heere of the Sardians. 1846 P. Fairbairn tr. Hengstenberg's Comm. Ps. xliv. 14 People would figuratively call a miserable man a Jew, just as liars were called Cretans, wretched slaves, Sardians. |
2. = Sardian stone (see A), sard n.1
| 1741 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The Sardian [ed. 1728 has Sardoin] is most used for seals, as graving easily, yet taking a fine polish. 1860 C. W. King Ant. Gems 398 [tr. Marbodus] The blood-red Sardian to its birthplace owes Its name, to Sardis, whence it first arose. |