hircine

[ hur-sahyn, -sin ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a goat.
2. having a goatish odor.
3. lustful; libidinous.

hircine

/ -sɪn; ˈhɜːsaɪn /

adjective

1. archaic.
   of or like a goat, esp in smell
2. literary.
   lustful; lascivious

Word History and Origins

Origin of hircine¹

1650–60; < Latin hircīnus of a goat, equivalent to hirc ( us ) goat + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hircine¹

C17: from Latin hircīnus, from hircus goat

Example Sentences

Beef suet consists of stearine, margarine, and oleine; mutton and goat suet contain a little hircine.

From Project Gutenberg

The professor glared across the room like an infuriated animal, a comparison heightened by his notoriously hircine appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

Hircine, hėr′sīn, adj. goat-like: having a strong goatish smell.

From Project Gutenberg