Lesbian

Meanings

Noun

• A native or inhabitant of Lesbos.
• The variety of Aeolic Greek spoken on Lesbos from about 800 to 300 , best known from the writings of Sappho and Alcaeus of Mytilene.
• A sweet, mild wine made on Lesbos in ancient times.
• Alternate spelling of lesbian.

Adjective

• Of or pertaining to the island of Lesbos.
• Of or pertaining to the Lesbian variety of Aeolic Greek.
• Alternate spelling of lesbian.
• Amatory; erotic.

Origin

• From Latin Lesbius + adjective suffix -an, from Latin adjective suffix -anus. The sense of ‘homosexual’ is a reference to Sappho, a famous inhabitant of Lesbos and homosexual poet.