This post was published 2 years 6 months 28 days ago which may make its actuality or expire date not be valid anymore. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.In science fiction and ufology, a Venusian is a native inhabitant of the planet Venus.
Etymology
The word “Venusian” is simply a combination of the name of the planet Venus and the suffix -ian, formed on the analogy of “Martian” (as if = “Marsian”). It is usually pronounced [vɪˈnu.ʒən] or [vɪˈnu.ʃən]. Based on the latter pronunciation, the spelling “Venutian” is sometimes found.
The classically correct form of the word should be “Venerean” or “Venerian” (cf. Latin: venereus, venerius “belonging to the goddess Venus”), but these forms were only used by a few authors (e.g. Robert A. Heinlein). Scientists sometimes use the adjective “Cytherean” to describe Venus, from the goddess’ epithet Cytherea. “Venusian” is likely to be preferred to “Venerean” due to the latter’s undesirable similarity to the word “venereal”, as in venereal disease.
