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lion

[lahy-uhn]

Origin

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noun

a large, usually tawny-yellow cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa and southern Asia, having a tufted tail and, in the male, a large mane.

any of various related large wildcats, as the cougar.

a man of great strength, courage, etc.

a person of great importance, influence, charm, etc., who is much admired as a celebrity: a literary lion.

the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain.

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(initial capital letter) Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Leo.

(initial capital letter) a member of any one of the internationally affiliated service clubs (International Association of Lions Clubs) founded in 1917 and dedicated to promoting responsible citizenship, sound government, and community, national, and international welfare.

Numismatics.

a silver, Anglo-Gallic denier, issued during the reign of Henry III, bearing the figure of a lion.

a gold coin of Scotland, issued c1400–1589, bearing the figure of a lion.

any of various other coins bearing the figure of a lion.

hardhead².

British. an object of interest or note.

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Idioms

10.

beard the lion in its den, to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.

11.

twist the lion's tail, to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.

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Lion is always a great word to know.

So is Sagittarius. Does it mean:

a zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Aries, containing the bright star Aldebaran also called the Bull

a zodiacal constellation between Scorpius and Capricorn also called the Archer

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Origin:
before 900; Middle English < Old French, variant of leon < Latin leōn- (stem of leō) < Greek léōn; replacing Middle English, Old English lēo < Latin, as above

Related forms

li·on·esque, adjective

li·on·like, li·on·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Lion

Collins

World English Dictionary

lion (ˈlaɪən)

—n
1.	a large gregarious predatory feline mammal, Panthera leo, of open country in parts of Africa and India, having a tawny yellow coat and, in the male, a shaggy maneRelated: leonine
2.	a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain
3.	a courageous, strong, or bellicose person
4.	a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following
5.	beard the lion in his den to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour
6.	the lion's share the largest portion

Related: leonine

[Old English līo, lēo (Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French liun), both from Latin leo, Greek leōn]

Lion (ˈlaɪən)

—n
	the Lion the constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

lion

late 12c., from O.Fr. lion, from L. leonem (nom. leo), from Gk. leon (gen. leontos), from a non-I.E. language, perhaps Semitic (cf. Heb. labi "lion," pl. lebaim; Egyptian labai, lawai "lioness"). A general Germanic borrowing (cf. Ger. Löwe) found in most European languages, often via Germanic (cf.

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O.C.S. liva, Pol. lew, Czech lev, O.Ir. leon, Welsh lew). Used figuratively from c.1200 in an approving sense, "one who is fiercely brave," and a disapproving one, "tyrannical leader, greedy devourer." Lion's share "the greatest portion" is attested from 1790.

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American Heritage

Abbreviations & Acronyms

LION
low energy ion and electron instrument

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

lion

In addition to the idiom beginning with lion, also see beard the lion; throw to the wolves (lions).