griffin
Use Griffin in a sentence
ɪn noun Classical Mythology.
a fabled monster, usually having the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
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Griffin
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To griffin
Collins
World English Dictionary
griffin, griffon or gryphon1 (ˈɡrɪfɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a winged monster with an eagle-like head and the body of a lion | |
| [C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked] | |
| griffon, griffon or gryphon1 | |
| —n | |
| [C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked] | |
| gryphon, griffon or gryphon1 | |
| —n | |
| [C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked] | |
| griffin2 (ˈɡrɪfɪn) | |
| —n | |
| a newcomer to the Orient, esp one from W Europe | |
| [C18: of unknown origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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
griffin
c.1200, from O.Fr. grifon "a bird of prey," also "fabulous bird of Gk. mythology" (with head and wings of an eagle, body and hind quarters of a lion, believed to inhabit Scythia and guard its gold), from L.L. gryphus, misspelling of grypus, variant of gryps (gen. grypos), from Gk. gryps (gen. grypos)
"curved, hook-nosed," in reference to its beak. But Klein suggests a Sem. source, "through the medium of the Hittites," and cites Heb. kerubh "a winged angel," Akkad. karibu, epithet of the bull-colossus (see cherub).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
griffin
composite mythological creature with a lion's body (winged or wingless) and a bird's head, usually that of an eagle. The griffin was a favourite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lands. Probably originating in the Levant in the 2nd millennium BC, the griffin had spread throughout western Asia and into Greece by the 14th century BC. The Asiatic griffin had a crested head, whereas the Minoan and Greek griffin usually had a mane of spiral curls. It was shown either recumbent or seated on its haunches, often paired with the sphinx; its function may have been protective
Learn more about griffin with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Griffin thinks that geographically distant survivors may each have unique genes for resistance.
The griffin was itself a compound creature, half lion and half eagle.
Griffin later served time in jail for failing to perform the community-service requirement imposed as part of his sentence.
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