griffin

views updated May 18 2018

grif·fin / ˈgrifin/ (also gryph·on, grif·fon / ˈgrifən/ ) • n. a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, typically depicted with pointed ears and with the eagle's legs taking the place of the forelegs.

griffin

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

griffin

views updated May 23 2018

griffin, griffon1, gryphon fabulous animal combining eagle and lion; vulture. XIV. — OF. grifoun (mod. griffon) :- Rom. *grúphō, -ōn-, augm. of late L. grȳphus, f. grȳps, grȳph- — Gr. grúps.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

griffin

views updated May 14 2018

griffin a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, typically depicted with pointed ears and with the eagle's legs taking the place of the forelegs. The ancient Greeks believed that they lived in Scythia, guarding the gold for which that country was renowned.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

griffin

views updated May 21 2018

gryphon see GRIFFIN.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

griffin

All Sources -
Updated Aug 24 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like