SATURNINE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does saturnine mean? 

• SATURNINE (adjective)
  The adjective SATURNINE has 2 senses:

1. bitter or scornful

2. showing a brooding ill humor

  Familiarity information: SATURNINE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SATURNINE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bitter or scornful

Context example:

the face was saturnine and swarthy, and the sensual lips...twisted with disdain

Similar:

sarcastic (expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Showing a brooding ill humor

Synonyms:

dark; dour; glowering; glum; moody; morose; saturnine; sour; sullen

Context example:

a sullen crowd

Similar:

ill-natured (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition)

 Context examples 

An ugly sneer came over Sir Lothian’s saturnine face.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Somebody strike a light, my thumb’s out of joint,” said one of the men, Parsons, a swarthy, saturnine man, boat-steerer in Standish’s boat, in which Harrison was puller.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Somehow his words and his look did not seem to accord, or else it was that his cast of face made his smile look malignant and saturnine.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Harkey, a long, lank Texan, was unusually friendly for one with a saturnine disposition, and, as long as his theory that gold grew was not challenged, was quite companionable.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

It was not, however, so saturnine a pride! she laughed continually; her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)