hircine

Definition

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of goats.

Etymology

First attested in its present form in 1650–1660: From Middle English hircyne, from Latin hircīnus (“of a goat”, “goat-scented”); equivalent to hircus (“a male goat”) + -īnus (“-ine”). Cognate with French hircin. By surface analysis, hirc- (“buck, male goat”) + -ine. Compare caprine, haedine.

Example Sentences

• "They are monſtrouſly fat, and have a moſt hircine ſmell."
• "1838, Hypericaceæ, entry in The Penny Cyclopaedia, Volume 12, page 411, Many are objects of ornament, but they are little cultivated because they have frequently a disagreeable hircine odour."
• "People always smiled a little when they looked at Skøieren, and it was surely true that this dog had a most whimsical appearance, practically lost as he was in the depths of his hircine coat of fur."