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griffe

1

[ grif ]

noun

, Chiefly Louisiana.
  1. the offspring of a Black person and a mulatto.
  2. a person of mixed Black and American Indian ancestry.
  3. a mulatto, especially a woman.


griffe

2

[ grif ]

noun

, Architecture.
  1. an ornament at the base of a column, projecting from the torus toward a corner of the plinth.

griffe

/ ɡrɪf /

noun

  1. architect a carved ornament at the base of a column, often in the form of a claw
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of griffe1

An Americanism first recorded in 1715–25; from Louisiana French, from Caribbean Spanish grifo “curly-haired”

Origin of griffe2

1870–75; < French: claw < Germanic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of griffe1

C19: from French: claw, of Germanic origin
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Example Sentences

The nurse, a comfortable looking Griffe woman in white apron and cap, was urging her to return to her bedroom.

I longed to interpose with a warning word, for in the handwriting I recognized the griffe of the fatal Delilah.

Monsieur only goes away to wait upon the griffe, his master, when he wants more work; his griffe is a slop tailor.

There was a flash of light, and I saw a great griffe standing there, looking at me curiously.

But the griffe rudely jerked me to my feet again, and told me, I suppose, that I was to accompany him.

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griffaGriffes