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anserine

 - 2 dictionary results

an⋅ser⋅ine

[an-suh-rahyn, -rin]
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the subfamily Anserinae, of the family Anatidae, comprising the true geese.
2. resembling a goose; gooselike.
3. stupid; foolish; silly.
Also, an⋅ser⋅ous.


Origin:
1830–40; < L anserīnus of, pertaining to geese, equiv. to anser goose + -īnus -ine 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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an·ser·ine   (ān'sə-rīn', -rĭn)   
adj.  
  1. Of or belonging to the subfamily Anserinae, which comprises the geese.

  2. Of or resembling a goose; gooselike.


[Latin ānserīnus, pertaining to geese, from ānser, goose; see ghans- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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