# Marian

/ˈmɛɹiən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marian
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. relating to the Virgin Mary

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

relating to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

For teachers: pertaining to the Virgin Mary, especially in the context of Christian theology or devotion.

- The church is famous for its beautiful Marian art and statues.
- The theologian's latest treatise explores the development of Marian dogmas in the early medieval period.

Usage: Capitalization is standard but not universal in academic contexts.

### 2. relating to Queen Mary I

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

relating to the time when Mary I was Queen of England.

For teachers: pertaining to the reign or era of Mary I of England, typically from 1553 to 1558.

- Historians study the Marian persecutions to understand religious tension in England.
- The Marian exiles were Protestants who fled England during the reign of Mary Tudor to avoid religious persecution.

### 3. relating to Gaius Marius

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

relating to the Roman general and leader Gaius Marius.

For teachers: pertaining to the Roman general and statesman Gaius Marius, particularly his military reforms.

- The Marian reforms changed how the Roman army was organized.
- The Marian military reforms shifted the loyalty of Roman soldiers from the state to their individual generals.

### 4. loyalist to Mary, Queen of Scots

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a person who supported Mary, Queen of Scots, during historical conflicts.

For teachers: a supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, especially during the civil conflicts following her deposition in 1567.

- The Marians fought against the forces of the young King James.
- The civil war in Scotland pitted the King's Men against the Marians, who sought to restore the deposed queen to her throne.

## Examples

- The church is famous for its beautiful Marian shrine.
- The month of May is traditionally a time for Marian devotions in many Catholic communities around the world.
- Scholars often examine the evolution of Marian iconography to understand how the image of the Madonna shifted from a symbol of authority to one of maternal tenderness over several centuries.

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