Charonian

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English

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Etymology

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From Charon +‎ -ian, or from the alternative Latin oblique stem Charōnis.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /kəˈɹoʊnɪən/ (mythology)
  • IPA(key): /kəˈɹoʊnɪən/, /ʃəˈɹoʊnɪən/ (astronomy)

Adjective

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Charonian (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to Charon.
    The Charonian journey will soon be taken.
    • 1773, Jacob Bryant, A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology, volume I, pages 29–30:
      The Elysian plain, near the Catacombs in Egypt, stood upon the foul Charonian canal: which was so noisome, that every fetid ditch and cavern was from it called Charonian. [...] Pliny speaking of some Charonian hollows in Italy, says that the exhalations were insupportable.
    • 1940, Edmond Hamilton, Calling Captain Future, page 50:
      [It] possessed the six legs characteristic of Charonian life
    • 1992, Alan Stern, “The Pluto-Charon System”, in Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 30, page 225:
      Although this casts doubt on an intrinsic source for a present-day Charonian atmosphere, it is possible that Elliot & Young's result can be understood if Charon's gravity causes it to collect escaping gas from Pluto.

Noun

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Charonian (plural Charonians)

  1. (science fiction) An inhabitant of Charon (a moon of Pluto).
    Synonym: Charontian
    • 1990, Donald Moffitt, A Gathering of Stars:
      The Charonians were proud of their frozen hell. Styxville was like Plutopolis, only less so.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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