Marian

1. A female given name from Hebrew.

   There's no more faith in thee than in a steward prune, nor no more truth in thee than in a drawn fox; and for womanhood, Maid Marian may be the deputy's wife of the ward to thee.

   Act III, Scene III

comparative more Marian · superlative most Marian

1. ChristianityOf or relating to the Virgin Mary.

   Marian devotions

   2 more examples

   a Marian apparition

   When, e.g., Dr. Pusey and others tell him, on à priori grounds, that his constant and unintermitting worship of Mary lessens his simple trust in Jesus, such a statement can only elicit from him amazement and pity; because he knows, as a matter most strictly within his own personal cognisance, that Marian devotion is among his most efficacious helps for growing in the knowledge and the love of God.

   1867, E. Pusey, “Dr. Pusey on Ecclesiastical Unity”, in The Dublin Review, volume 8, page 84

2. Of or relating to Mary I of England.

   The Marian bishops had undoubtedly anticipated trouble when the daughter of Anne Boleyn ascended the throne.

   1968, William P. Haugaard, “[The Convocation men of 1563] The Marian bishops”, in Elizabeth and the English Reformation: The Struggle for a Stable Settlement of Religion, Cambridge: At the University Press, page 36

   2 more examples

   I judge the meaning of it to be, that men who raigne like Lions, Kings and great ones who under the face of men carry the hearts of Tygers; and their Children who equall them in, and inherit their fathers crueltie; and their wives who ſurpaſſe them in Inſolence, and Marian perſecntions;^([sic]) muſt all receive ſuch puniſhments as their ſins deſerve, they end their lives tragically, […]

   1651, Iohn Cooke, Monarchy No Creature of Gods Making, &c. Wherein Is Proved by Scripture and Reason, That Monarchicall Government is Against the Minde of God. […], Waterford: […] Peter de Pienne, page 55

   Far from being open to dialogue with those of opposing beliefs, the Marian regime effectively shut down interconfessional debate through an uncompromising campaign against Protestants in print, pulpit and, above all, through a brutal programme of persecution.

   2022, Frederick E. Smith, “[Agents of the Marian Counter-Reformation] The ‘Protestant Problem’”, in Transnational Catholicism in Tudor England: Mobility, Exile, and Counter-Reformation, 1530—1580, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, section III (Repatriation), page 191

3. Of or relating to Mary, Queen of Scots.

plural Marians

1. historicalOne of the Scots who remained loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, in the disputes following her deposition.

comparative more Marian · superlative most Marian

1. Of or relating to Gaius Marius, Ancient Roman general and statesman.

   Marian reform

comparative more Marian · superlative most Marian

1. Of or relating to the Mari people.

   the famous Marian diviner, Asqudum