anserine

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ser·​ine

-rə̇n

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling a goose

anserine characteristics

b

: stupid, silly

ridiculous anserine behavior

2

: of or belonging to the Anseres

the anserine birds

anserine

2 of 2

noun

an·​ser·​ine

-rə̇n

variants or less commonly anserin

-rə̇n

plural -s

: a crystalline base C₁₀H₁₆N₄O₃ found in the muscles of birds; methyl-carnosine

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin anserinus, from anser goose + -inus -ine

Noun

borrowed from German Anserin, from Latin anser "goose" + German -in -in entry 1, -ine entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined above

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