-ian

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-ian earlier also — yan, repr. ult. (sometimes through F. -ien), L. -iānus (see -I-, -AN), as in CHRISTIAN, Vergiliānus Virgilian, subsequently by modification of L. forms, as BARBARIAN, EQUESTRIAN, HISTORIAN, PATRICIAN; freely used in mod. formations on proper names, as in Devonian, Johnsonian, Pickwickian. See also -ARIAN, -ICIAN.

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