a. (sb.) [f. L. Jovi-s JOVE + -AN: cf. L. Joviānus as a personal name, and obs. F. jovien (Palsgr.).]
1. Of, belonging to, of the nature of Jove; Jove-like.
1530. Palsgr., 316/2. Jovyen of the nature of Jupiter, Jouien.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. iii. 185. Nay, shall a trencher slaue … magnificate Lewde Iouian lust?
1822–56. De Quincey, Confess. (1862), 126. A splendid pluralist … would never stoop from his Jovian attitude.
1893. Times, 5 Jan., 13/6. With Jovian recklessness he [Nikola Tesla] played with the artificial lightning which he generated.
1894. Sir E. Sullivan, Woman, 70. She [Helen] is the only woman to whom a Jovian parentage is allowed.
2. Of or belonging to the planet Jupiter.
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., IV. xliii. App. 175. The Jovian system…. The motion of Jupiter’s four moons or satellites.
1867–77. G. F. Chambers, Astron., VIII. 769. Shadow of a Jovian satellite.
B. sb. One who resembles or imitates Jove.
1598. Marston, Pygmal., V. 161. Would damned Iouians, be of all men praised, And with high honors vnto heauen raised?
