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Synonyms

porcine

American  
[pawr-sahyn, -sin] / ˈpɔr saɪn, -sɪn /

adjective

  1. of or relating to swine.

  2. resembling swine; hoggish; piggish.


porcine British  
/ ˈpɔːsaɪn /

adjective

  1. of, connected with, or characteristic of pigs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

porcine Scientific  
/ pôrsīn′ /
  1. Relating to or resembling pigs.


Etymology

Origin of porcine

1650–60; < Latin porcīnus; see pork, -ine 1

Explanation

You might be tempted to describe your greedy lunch companions as porcine, but you should try to resist the urge. Porcine means "like a pig." The adjective porcine is a scientific term for talking about pigs, but it's also useful for describing anything — or anyone — resembling a pig. A large, shiny-faced man might appear porcine to you, and so might a group of hungry kids who shove and jostle each other to get their hands on a plate of brownies. The Latin root is porcus, or "pig."

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Vocabulary lists containing porcine

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.

Since June, when Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, or PEDv, first hit, Prestage workers have quarantined the area, scrubbed vehicles and sprayed buildings with antiseptic.

From Reuters • Sep. 20, 2013

Porcine decapitation aside, jollier treats are offered up in the shape of edible baubles, tinsel and even fairy lights.

From The Guardian • Dec. 21, 2012

This is why its lead creator, Peter Cortez, who is also a founder of the Porcine Club, can keep his phone on the table and order more of his succulent favorites.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2011

I say, ‘Well, let me pull out my app,’ ” Jenn Kim, 32, a member of the Porcine Club, said over pork rice noodles at Má Pêche.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2011

He’d read all their books dozens of times, even the ones with titles like Diseases of the Porcine Species and Common Grasses of Our Countryside.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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