Parian
//ˈpɛə.ɹi.ən// adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A native or inhabitant of Paros. countable
- 2 A ceramic ware, a kind of bisque porcelain, supposed to resemble the fine-textured white marble of Paros. countable, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to the Greek island of Paros; (specifically), designating a type if fine white marble for which the island was renowned in antiquity.
"The girl was without a tinge of colour, but very fair; the soft white of the Parian marble strongly contrasted with hair of the most ebon black..."
- 2 Alternative form of Parian. alt-of, alternative
- 3 Designating or resembling a type of fine white porcelain resembling Parian marble.
"Her eyes were wide open. There were morsels of liquid moonlight between their parian lids."
Example
More examples"And bathed in sunshine stood the chief, endowed / with shape and features most divinely bright. / For graceful tresses and the purple light / of youth did Venus in her child unfold, / and sprightly lustre breathed upon his sight, / beauteous as ivory, or when artists mould / silver or Parian stone, enchased in yellow gold."
Etymology
From Paros + -ian.
Related phrases
More for "parian"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.