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griff

griff

2 9.9
A creature from old stories with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle
  • noun
  • /ɡrɪf/
  • Literature
translation icon : grifón
  • After years with GSPs, I now have a Korthals Griffon and have found the griff to be extremely thorough in scenting both air and ground.

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Examples

  • In ancient tales, a griff was said to guard treasures hidden in the mountains.

  • The statue in the park depicts a griff with majestic wings and a powerful lion's body.

  • I promised the people who lent me this place that they would not eat the griff.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Don't let them eat the griff," ordered a soft authoritative voice.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • I am fascinated by the way my griff uses the air and ground scent to pin down running birds; it is something that I feel cannot be trained for but is pure instinct and breeding.

    Blog text (5)
  • Children loved to hear stories about the fierce griff that soared through the skies.

Synonyms

griffin
vsgriff
  • Literature
156 9.3

A creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion

has identical meaning but is a different spelling variant
gryphon
vsgriff
  • Literature
5 9.9

A mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion

has identical meaning but is a different spelling variant
griffon
vsgriff
  • Literature
1 9.9

A mythical creature with an eagle's head and wings and a lion's body

has identical meaning but is a different spelling variant

Surface Forms

griff singular
griffs plural

Etymology

Griff is a short form of griffin, the legendary creature with a lion's body and an eagle's head and wings. Its name comes from an old Greek word for a 'hooked' beak, which helps you picture the eagle part, and that's why a griff often stands for strength and protection.