grif·fin

also grif·fon or gryph·on (grĭf′ən)

A fabulous beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.

[Middle English griffoun, from Old French griffon, from grif, from Latin grȳpus, grȳphus, variants of grȳps, grȳp-, from Greek grūps.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

griffin

(ˈɡrɪfɪn) ,

griffon

gryphon

(Classical Myth & Legend) 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]

griffin

(ˈɡrɪfɪn)

(Peoples) a newcomer to the Orient, esp one from W Europe

[C18: of unknown origin]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

grif•fin

(ˈgrɪf ɪn)

also griffon

a fabled monster, usu. having the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.

[1300–50; Middle English griffoun < Middle French grifon < Latin grȳphus < Greek grȳp-, s. of gryps curled, curved, having a hooked nose]

grif`fin•esque′, adj.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

griffin - winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion

griffon, gryphon

mythical creature, mythical monster - a monster renowned in folklore and myth

Translations

Greif

griffin

[ˈgrɪfɪn] N → grifo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

griffin

[ˈgrɪfɪn] griffon [ˈgrɪf^ən] n (MYTHOLOGY) → griffon m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

griffin

n (Myth) → (Vogel) Greif m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

griffin

[ˈgrɪfɪn] n (Myth) → grifone m

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Fortunately, the ground where the tent had been pitched, being Just before the city gates, was hard and smooth; and while the Ant still crawled about, Glinda discovered it and ran quickly forward to effect its capture But, Just as her hand was descending, the Witch, now fairly frantic with fear, made her last transformation, and in the form of a huge Griffin sprang through the wall of the tent -- tearing the silk asunder in her rush -- and in a moment had darted away with the speed of a whirlwind.

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Then look round and thou wilt see a griffin, winged like bird, sitting by the Red Sea; jump on to his back with thy beloved one as quickly as possible, and he will carry you over the waters to your home.

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"I quite agree--in regard to Griffin's ghost, or whatever it was-- that its appearing first to the little boy, at so tender an age, adds a particular touch.

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Therefore, in the dusk of the evening, as soon as Governor Hutchinson's reply was received, an immense crowd hastened to Griffin's Wharf, where the tea-ships lay.

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"You'll be as cross as a griffin tomorrow morning."

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There was a woman in the shop - elderly female - quite a Griffin - who had never even heard of it by name.

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An animal (now extinct) which was half horse and half griffin. The griffin was itself a compound creature, half lion and half eagle.

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'He of the Unicorn,' this one 'He of the Damsels,' that 'He of the Phoenix,' another 'The Knight of the Griffin,' and another 'He of the Death,' and by these names and designations they were known all the world round; and so I say that the sage aforesaid must have put it into your mouth and mind just now to call me 'The Knight of the Rueful Countenance,' as I intend to call myself from this day forward; and that the said name may fit me better, I mean, when the opportunity offers, to have a very rueful countenance painted on my shield."

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If a roc, an eagle, a griffin, a flying elephant, a winged sea-horse, had suddenly appeared, and, taking him on its back, carried him bodily into the heart of the 'Salwanners,' it would have been to him as an everyday occurrence, in comparison with what he now beheld.

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"Why, Camden!" said Miss Winifred, "Griffin and his wife told me only to-day, that Mr.

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Who could have been reduced to sudden extremity for the company of that griffin!

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I shall want you to come along with us, Mr Brass, and the--' he looked at Miss Sally as if in some doubt whether she might not be a griffin or other fabulous monster.

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