ˈsad.ə(r)ˌnīn, -atə- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, probably from (assumed) Medieval Latin saturninus, from Latin Saturnus Saturn + -inus -ine; perhaps from the planet's remoteness from the sun
1.
a. archaic : born under or influenced astrologically by the planet Saturn : slow , sluggish
saturnine heavy-headed blunderers — Thomas Nash
b. : of a moody or surly character : morose , sullen
a saturnine , almost misanthropic young genius — Bruce Bliven b. 1889
driven to saturnine and scornful silence by … godless conversation — Elinor Wylie
c. : having a sardonic aspect : devilish , wry
the face was saturnine and swarthy, and the sensual lips … twisted with disdain — Oscar Wilde
saturnine philosophical laughter — E.K.Brown
2.
a. archaic : of or relating to lead
acetate of lead and other saturnine preparations — A.B.Garrod & E.B.Baxter
b. : of, relating to, or produced by lead poisoning
victims of saturnine poisoning — Thomas Stevenson
Synonyms: see sullen