The name (repr. Gr. Λουκιανός, L. Lūciānus) of a celebrated writer of Greek dialogues (c. 160 A.D.); allusively, a witty scoffer. Hence † Lucian v. intr. in to Lucian it, to imitate the style of Lucian, to play the scoffer; Lucianic, † Lucianical adjs., pertaining to or characteristic of Lucian and his style; marked by a scoffing wit. Lucianically adv.
1561. Daus, trans. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573), 230 b. Their most light, and wanton Lucianicall wittes.
1592. G. Harvey, Four Lett., 8. My betters neede not take it grieuously, to be taunted … in that booke, where Saint Peter, & Christ himselfe are Lucianically & scoffingly alleadged.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 53. Erasmus scoffingly, as his manner was, in a Lucianicall style.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., VI. i. § 34. Erasmus in his Dialogues … though … he doth Lucian it too much, yet truth may be discovered under the varnish of his scoffing wit.
1750. Hodges, Chr. Plan (1755), Pref. 7. Ridiculed by men of light heads and bad hearts, the Lucians and facetious drolls of their respective ages.
1820. Shelley, in Lady Shelley, Mem. (1859), 136. I had written a Lucianic essay to prove the same thing.
1888. Dodson, Goldsmith, 70. A little in the Lucianic spirit of Fielding’s ‘Journey from this world to the Next.’
