n. Any of various often large and colorful moths of the family Saturniidae, such as the emperor moth. [From New Latin Sāturniidae, family name, from Sāturnia, type genus (so named in reference to the eyespots typically found on the wings of the genus, resembling the eyelike markings of peacock feathers), from Latin Sāturnia, daughter of Saturn (epithet of Juno, who was associated with the peacock), from feminine of Sāturnius, Saturnian, from Sāturnus, Saturn; see SATURN.] sa·turni·id adj. |
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