griffin

¹

[ grif-in ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

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

griffin

²

[ grif-in ]

noun

1. (in India and the East) a newcomer, especially a white person from a Western country.

Griffin

³

[ grif-in ]

noun

1. a city in W Georgia.
2. a male given name.

griffin

¹

/ ˈɡrɪfɪn /

noun

1. a newcomer to the Orient, esp one from W Europe

griffin

²

/ ˈɡrɪfɪn /

noun

1. a winged monster with an eagle-like head and the body of a lion

Other Words From

• griffin·esque adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of griffin¹

1300–50; Middle English griffoun < Middle French grifon < Latin grȳphus < Greek grȳp- (stem of grȳ́ps ) “curled, curved, having a hooked nose”

Origin of griffin²

First recorded in 1785–95; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of griffin¹

C18: of unknown origin

Origin of griffin²

C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked

Example Sentences

Renaissance and Medieval pieces, and the “quality camp” or “fantasy furniture” he favored — weird and whimsical pieces embellished with mythical creatures; chairs sprouting antlers, torcheres bedecked with gargoyles, commodes atop griffin feet.

From New York Times

What she was proposing was wildly off-brand: an epic fantasy series with dragons, griffins, magic and political intrigue.

From New York Times

It depicts griffins, deer, lotus flowers, and men on horseback and dates from around 400 BC.

From The Verge

Dylan points outs a griffin that swoops down in the distance and emerges with some poor creature in its beak.

From Literature

“We added a turret, carvings of sunflowers and cast-iron griffins, along with new siding in a fall palette of deep greens, gold and burgundy,” he says.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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