E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Sat’ire (2 syl.).
Scaliger’s derivation of this word from satyr is untenable. It is from sat’ura (full of variety), sat’ura lanx, a hotchpotch or olla podrida. As max’umus, optu’mus, etc., became maximus, optimus, so “satura” became sat’ira. (See Dryden’s Dedication prefixed to his Satires.)
1
Father of satire. Archil’ochos of Paros (B.C. seventh century).
2
Father of French satire. Mathurin Regnier (1573–1613).
