a. (and sb.). Obs. Also 5 ueneryan. [f. L. veneri-us, f. Vener-, Venus VENUS1. Cf. VENEREAN and VENERIEN.]
1. Influenced by, subject to, Venus; inclined to wantonness.
14[?]. [see VENERIEN a.].
c. 1590. J. Stewart, Poems (S.T.S.), II. 78/192. Heirfoir to vichts venerian I quyt To form in verse virgilian perfyt Thair facund fassons.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, Wks. (Grosart), III. 120. Pigmey Dicke aforesaid … is such another Venerian steale placard as Iohn was.
1608. Tarlton, Cobler Canterb. (1844), 133. In every house where the venerian virgins are resident, hospitalitie is quite exiled.
b. As sb. A person of this character.
1601. Dolman, La Primaud. Fr. Acad., III. 130. They name one man a Saturnist, another a Martialist,… or else a Mercurialist, or a Venerian.
2. = VENEREAL a. 1.
1448. Metham, Wks. (E.E.T.S.), 57. Nwe radyffyid with the flame off ueneryan dysyre.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, IV. Prol. 92. Be nevir ourset, myne author teichis so, With lust of wyne, nor werkis veneriane.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. Ark, 419. A vast multitude Of since-born mongrels, that derive their birth From monstrous medly of Venerian mirth.
1602. Dolman, La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618), III. 734. Euen as the aire and winde coupleth and conioineth things seuered, so doth the Venerian power.
3. = VENEREAL a. 2.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 59. Because the beds are suspected for filthinesse of the Venerian disease, passengers use to weare linnen breeches of their owne.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 87. The Nose that is sunk into this figure by the Venerian rot.
4. Venerian pear, the Venus-pear.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 439. The Barbarian or Venerian pears, which also be called Coloured.
