Dictionary

mastodonian en · ADJ

Etymology

From mastodon + -ian.

Meanings

1. Of, related to, or characteristic of a mastodon; large; powerful.
   • The British parliament is now considering the proposition of a Liverpool ship-builder to build six "mastodonian steamships," to be used for the transportation of troops to distant possessions. 1859, Executive Documents Printed by Order of The House of Representatives during the Second Session of the Thirty-Fifth Congress, 1858-'59, page 503:
   • These brutes are huge mastodonian animals that tower to an immense height even beside the giant green men and their giant thoats; […] 1919, Edward Rice Burroughs, The Warlord of Mars, page 115:
   • Since Mother Eve made history by eating too many apples, all peoples in every time have been prone to mark special occasions with Mastodonian meals. 1937 November 14, Lona Gill, “Let's Stop The Holiday Gorging!”, in Los Angeles Times Magazine, page 6:

Forms