anserine
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the subfamily Anserinae, of the family Anatidae, comprising the true geese.
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resembling a goose; gooselike.
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stupid; foolish; silly.
adjective
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of or resembling a goose
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of, relating to, or belonging to the subfamily Anserinae, which includes geese, swans, and certain ducks: family Anatidae, order Anseriformes
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silly; foolish
Etymology
Origin of anserine
1830–40; < Latin anserīnus of, pertaining to geese, equivalent to anser goose + -īnus -ine 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Three metabolites known to play a role in mood regulation -- anserine, indole-3-carboxylate, and deoxyinosine -- were reduced by the cafeteria diet but rebounded with exercise.
From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025
The protective effects of exercise on anserine, indole-3-carboxylate, and deoxyinosine levels suggest these compounds may serve as biomarkers or even therapeutic agents for mood disorders.
From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025
I scorn the anserine Gladstonian throng, Whose mouthpiece is the Gaily Dews.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 93, Nov. 11, 1887 by Various
The gaff is blown, the anserine guard gives tongue with might and main.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, February 6, 1892 by Various
Since then he had respected her person, but to the day of his death he had cursed her for anserine stupidity.
From The Belovéd Vagabond by Locke, William John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
