Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
firedrake

firedrake

9.9
A large dragon from legends that breathes fire and often guards treasure
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : dragón
  • In the ancient tale, a firedrake flew over the mountains, breathing fire and guarding its treasure.

Examples

  • The dragons were saved thanks to the special fire breath of a silver dragon called Firedrake.

    Dragon Rider (2020)

  • Legends say that a firedrake can melt stone with its fiery breath, making it a fearsome creature to encounter.

  • The hero bravely faced the firedrake, armed with nothing but a shield and a magical sword to protect his village.

Synonyms

dragon
vsfiredrake
  • Literature
474 2.0

A large imaginary animal like a giant lizard with wings that often breathes fire

is limited to creatures from Germanic and Teutonic traditions rather than worldwide myths
European dragon
vsfiredrake
  • Literature
7.0

A large winged lizard from European stories that breathes fire and hoards treasure

is specific to Germanic and Teutonic legends rather than to all European folklore
wivern
vsfiredrake
  • Literature
9.9

A dragon with two legs, wings, and a long snake-like tail that breathes fire

is a winged reptile in Germanic legends without stressing leg number

Surface Forms

firedrake singular
firedrakes plural

Morphology

firedrake = fire + drake (semi-transparent) = fire + drake

The compound is literal (a fire-breathing 'drake'), but 'drake' as 'dragon' is archaic/literary and may not be known to many learners who know 'drake' only as 'male duck'.

Etymology

Firedrake joins fire and drake, and drake used to mean 'dragon' in old stories, much like the modern word dragon. So a firedrake is remembered as a 'fire-breathing' dragon, which explains why it names a fierce, winged beast.