griffon

¹

[ grif-uhn ]

noun

1. a vulture of the genus Gyps, especially G. fulvus, of southern Europe.

griffon

²

[ grif-uhn ]

noun

1. any of several varieties of the Brussels griffon differing from each other in coloration or in the texture of the coat. Compare Belgian griffon, Brabançon, Brussels griffon.
2. Also called wirehaired pointing griffon. one of a Dutch breed of medium-sized dogs having a coarse, steel-gray or grayish-white coat with chestnut markings, used for pointing and retrieving birds.

griffon

¹

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. a variant of griffin 1

griffon

²

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. any of various small wire-haired breeds of dog, originally from Belgium
2. any large vulture of the genus Gyps, of Africa, S Europe, and SW Asia, having a pale plumage with black wings: family Accipitridae (hawks)

Word History and Origins

Origin of griffon¹

1350–1400; Middle English griffoun < French; griffin ¹

Origin of griffon²

1820–30; < French; akin to griffin ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of griffon¹

C19: from French: griffin ¹

Example Sentences

But a petit basset griffon Vendéen took best in show for the first time last year, as did a bloodhound in 2022.

From Seattle Times

A further 15 griffon vultures will be brought over from Spain and released to the wild next year.

From Seattle Times

Bird species such as barnacle geese, griffon vultures, great white egrets and Dalmatian pelicans are also recovering well.

From BBC

In one corner, a 5-foot whale baleen like a feather plucked from a griffon; in another, a prototypical washing machine, its tub made from a half cask of whiskey.

From Salon

Hit by accidental poisoning and urbanisation, Israel’s griffon vulture population has fallen to around 180 in the wild, says Yigal Miller, manager of programs for endangered raptors at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

From Reuters