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Sagan

American  
[sey-guhn, sa-gahn] / ˈseɪ gən, saˈgɑ̃ /

noun

  1. Carl (Edward), 1934–96, U.S. astronomer and writer.

  2. Françoise Françoise Quoirez, 1935–2004, French novelist.


Sagan British  
/ saɡã̃ /

noun

  1. Carl ( Edward ) 1934–96, US astronomer and writer on scientific subjects; presenter of the television series Cosmos (1980)

  2. Françoise (frã̃swɑːz), original name Françoise Quoirez . 1935–2004, French writer, best-known for the novels Bonjour Tristesse (1954) and Aimez-vous Brahms? (1959)

"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

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.

If Sagan’s dictum were true, we would need extraordinary evidence to prove we exist.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the defendants is Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, 41, a publicist known on social media as "Zoe Sagan" and often linked with conspiracy theory circles.

From Barron's

Carl Sagan once reflected on humanity's deep connection to the cosmos, saying, "The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself."

From Science Daily

It doesn’t reach the standard of proof Carl Sagan popularized: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Two features of the best-documented cases combine to meet Sagan’s standard: The subjects suffered from medically verified disorders that made their brains incapable of organized mental activity; and multiple observers, including medical personnel, recorded the lucidity.

From The Wall Street Journal