English Explanatory Dictionary

hircine

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of goats.
  2. Possessed of an odour reminiscent of goats.
  3. Libidinous; lustful.
noun
  1. A fossil amorphous resin which, when burnt, gives off a pungent, hircinous aroma.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɜːsaɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hircine.wav /ˈhɝsaɪn/ /ˈhɝsɪn/

Word forms

hircine more hircine most hircine hirquine

Etymology

First attested in its present form in 1650–1660: From Middle English hircyne, from Latin hircīnus (“of a goat”, “goat-scented”); equivalent to hircus (“a male goat”) + -īnus (“-ine”). Cognate with French hircin. By surface analysis, hirc- (“buck, male goat”) + -ine. Compare caprine, haedine.

Synonyms

hircic hircose caprine goaten goatish goaty hircinous lascivious libidinous lustful lusty hircite

Derived words

hircinous
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