Vulcanian
adjUS /vəlˈkeɪniən/ · UK /vʌlˈkeɪnɪən/
Etymology Directly from Latin Vulcāniānus or from Latin Vulcānius + -an within English, from Vulcānus + -iānus (“-ian”) or -ius (“-y: forming adjectives”). In reference to a type or stage of volcanic activity, via Italian Vulcaniano, with specific reference to Giuseppe Mercalli's observations of the 1888–90 eruptions of the Aeolian island Vulcano. Equivalent to Vulcan + -ian. Doublet of volcanian. Compare slightly earlier Middle French vulcanien.
7 senses
- 1Of, related to, or created by Vulcan, the Roman god of…
- 2Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, a cuckold.
- 3Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, of or related…
- 4Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, volcanic, of…
- 5Of or related to former theories attributing the origin…
- 6Of or related to volcanic eruptions or phases of a…
- 7Of or related to the proposed planet Vulcan or a cluster…
Human sciences, Mysticism, Mythology, Philosophy, Sciences Roman Of, related to, or created by Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalwork, considered equivalent to the Greek Hephaestus and several German and Celtic gods.
- ...Nor cou'd Vulcanian Flame The Stench abolish; or the Savour tame...1697, John Dryden translating Vergil as Georgics, Book III, in The Works of Virgil, p. 121
Human sciences, Mysticism, Mythology, Philosophy, Sciences Roman, Obsolete, Rare Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, a cuckold.
- Yet Muto, like a good Vulcanian, An honest Cuckold, calls the bastard sonne, And brags of that which others for him done.1598, John Marston, “Certaine Satyres”, in The Metamorphosis of Pigmalions Image..., page 41:
Literary, Uncommon Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, of or related to metalwork, blacksmithing, and metallurgy.
- A sabre, when the warrior press'd to part,1726, Alexander Pope & al., The Odyssey of Homer..., Book XIX
Geography, Geology, Natural sciences Archaic Alternative letter-case form of vulcanian, volcanic, of or related to volcanoes and volcanism.
- Solinus reports it of the Vulcanian Hill in Sicily, that they which offered Sacrifice upon it, never put fire to it, but expected it should be kindled from Heaven.1642, Ralph Cudworth, A Discourse Concerning the True Notion of the Lords Supper, page 66:
Geography, Geology, Natural sciences Archaic, Historical Of or related to former theories attributing the origin of basalt and other crystalline minerals to subterranean fires.
- In his six lectures on Volcanos, [Faujas] exhausted the subject, and showed us the difference of the several systems, the Vulcanian, the Neptunian, and the Huttonian, which is the Plutonian, and his own opinion.1803, Stephen Weston, Praise of Paris, page 58:
- The Vulcanian or Plutonian theory, which ascribes the changes on earth's surface to the agency of fire.1870, Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, page 939:
Geography, Geology, Natural sciences Archaic Of or related to volcanic eruptions or phases of a volcanic eruption when repeated explosions produce a thick ash cloud.
- Just as we have the ‘Plinian’ or ‘Vesuvian’ eruptions of Vesuvius accompanied by violent outbursts of ‘ashes’ and welling out of lava, and the incessant, milder ‘Strombolian’ type of eruption, so we may distinguish a ‘Vulcanian’ type.1892 June 2, Nature, page 118:
Astronomy, Natural sciences Of or related to the proposed planet Vulcan or a cluster of asteroids at the same location in the Solar System.
- Derived terms
- Vulcanian Islands
- Coordinate terms
- Huttonian, Neptunian, Plutonian, Peléan, Plinian, Strombolian, Vesuvian