pavonine

Definitions

1. Of or pertaining to the genus Pavo or its family Pavonidae, including the peafowl.
2. Possessing the coloring or iridescence of a peacock feather.
3. Showy, like a peacock's tail; exhibiting vanity.

Equivalents

2 more languages

Suomiriikinkukkomainen

Polskipawi

Examples

“These rocks are a schist, and abound with the copper pyrites, which occasionally exhibits a pavonine tarnish. The schist is sometimes of a very deep gray colour, and is then the most rich in metal; sometimes also it has the green[…]”

“It resembled from a distance porphyry, while much of it had a pavonine lustre, like⟳ the argentiferous galena of the Silver States in North America. The great weight suggested one mass of metal, and part of it had evidently been[…]”

“362. Massive BORNITE, having a pavonine purple tarnish; with dolomite. Kenmare mine, Co. Kerry, Ireland. 363. Massive BORNITE, having a pavonine purple tarnish; with malachite and ochre.”

“In D. kahli the blue of the wings on the upper side is deep pavonine blue, or intense cobalt, confined on the anterior wing to a broad patch above the lower margin near the lower angle, and not invading the cell;[…]”

“... leaving its present⟳ body would find⟳ or construct another according to its chief intrinsic qualities and forces, whether those were a leonine magnanimity of courage, a vulpine subtlety of cunning, or a pavonine strut of vanity .”

“He had me all to himself; whilst his wife abased herself before my companion, he made up for the abasement by a truly pavonine strut and spread⟳ of his feathers. Amongst the few items of fact that floated on the torrent of his [lecture⟳ were...]”

“A list of acknowledgements can be a pavonine affair, an excuse⟳ more to flaunt than to thank⟳. I have⟳ tried to avoid⟳ that here. But I must thank⟳ my excellent colleagues at QMUL,[…]”

CEFR level