parian

comparative more parian · superlative most parian

1. alternativeAlternative form of Parian.

plural Parians

1. countableA native or inhabitant of Paros.
2. countableuncountableA ceramic ware, a kind of bisque porcelain, supposed to resemble the fine-textured white marble of Paros.

   Synonyms: parianware, Parian marble

comparative more Parian · superlative most Parian

1. Of or relating to the Greek island of Paros; (specifically), designating a type if fine white marble for which the island was renowned in antiquity.First known use 17th c.

   The girl was without a tinge of colour, but very fair; the soft white of the Parian marble strongly contrasted with hair of the most ebon black...

   1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter I, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 13

2. Designating or resembling a type of fine white porcelain resembling Parian marble.First known use 19th c.

   Her eyes were wide open. There were morsels of liquid moonlight between their parian lids.

   1973, Elizabeth Mavor, A Green Equinox, Virago, published 2023, page 115