persian

Persian
    adj 1: of or relating to Iran or its people or language or
           culture; "Iranian mountains"; "Iranian security police"
           [syn: {Iranian}, {Persian}]
    n 1: a native or inhabitant of Iran; "the majority of Irani are
         Persian Shiite Muslims" [syn: {Irani}, {Iranian},
         {Persian}]
    2: the language of Persia (Iran) in any of its ancient forms
       [syn: {Persian}, {Farsi}]
    

Persian \Per"sian\, a. [From Persia: cf. It. Persiano. Cf.
   {Parsee}, {Peach}, {Persic}.]
   Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their
   language.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Persian berry}, the fruit of {Rhamnus infectorius}, a kind
      of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly
      from Trebizond.

   {Persian cat}. (Zool.) Same as {Angora cat}, under {Angora}.
      

   {Persian columns} (Arch.), columns of which the shaft
      represents a Persian slave; -- called also {Persians}. See
      {Atlantes}.

   {Persian drill} (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a
      nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder.
      

   {Persian fire} (Med.), malignant pustule.

   {Persian powder}. See {Insect powder}, under {Insect}.

   {Persian red}. See {Indian red}
   (a), under {Indian}.

   {Persian wheel}, a noria; a tympanum. See {Noria}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Persian \Per"sian\, n.
   1. A native or inhabitant of Persia.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The language spoken in Persia. Ancient Persian of the 3rd
      to 10th centuries is also called {Pahlavi}, and modern
      Persian is also called {Farsi}.
      [1913 Webster + PJC]

   3. A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings. --Beck.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. pl. (Arch.) See {Persian columns}, under {Persian}, a.
      [1913 Webster]