Dictionary

Messalinian en · ADJ

Etymology

From Messalina + -ian.

Meanings

1. Reminiscent of Messalina; scheming and lascivious.
   • [T]he fine features were lost in superabundant fat, and the expression of them was such as I care not to defile my pen by describing, unless I call it Messalinian […]. 1859, Berkeley Aikin, The Dean:
   • The infamous transaction of the necklace […], with her messalinian feasts at Trianon, made her the common mark of ridicule and satire. 1794, Mary Wollstonecraft, An Historical and Moral View of the Origin and Progress of the French Revolution:
   • [S]he admitted that ‘in my personal life, there have been mistakes about which I could tell you, and all of it because of jealousy.’ Stalin doubtless already knew all her Messalinian exploits. 2003, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar:

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