griffon
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈɡrɪfən/
- Literature
:
grifón
- On the right is a winged lion based on the British griffon, another symbol of the company's invincibility.
Examples
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Myrmeen found the trading house situated between a building guarded by a pair of stone griffons and a church made of glass.
Fiction book (1992) -
Let me introduce you to the screamer Griffon
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The alley ran the length of the trading house, which had been deeper than the glass temple or the house of the griffon.
Fiction book (1992) -
I do like the idea of griffons hunting aquatic animals, though, because fish aren't sentient.
Blog text (8) -
The ancient castle was guarded by a majestic griffon, its wings spread wide against the sky.
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In many cultures, legends describe the griffon as a fierce protector of treasures and sacred sites.
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Artists often depict a griffon as a symbol of strength and courage, combining the features of both an eagle and a lion.
Synonyms
156
9.3
A creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion
5
9.9
A mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion
2
9.9
A creature from old stories with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle
Compounds
A very small, strong dog from Belgium with a rough coat and a short bearded face
A medium-sized hunting dog that points to birds, with rough outer fur and a soft undercoat
Surface Forms
Etymology
Griffon for the mythical creature comes from Greek gryphōn, from gryps meaning 'hooked', which points to the eagle-like hooked beak. That's why a griffon is pictured with an eagle head and a lion body, a sign of strength and watchfulness.