leonine

[ lee-uh-nahyn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the lion:

   We breathlessly watched the pride, in its leonine majesty, as it moved across the veldt.

2. resembling or suggestive of a lion:

   the conductor's wild, leonine hair.

3. (usually initial capital letter) of or relating to Leo, especially Leo IV or Leo XIII.

Leonine

¹

/ ˈliːəˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. connected with one of the popes called Leo
2. Leonine City
   a district of Rome on the right bank of the Tiber fortified by Pope Leo IV
3. of or relating to certain prayers in the Mass prescribed by Pope Leo XIII

noun

1. Also calledLeonine verse
   1. a type of medieval hexameter or elegiac verse having internal rhyme
   2. a type of English verse with internal rhyme

leonine

²

/ ˈliːəˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or resembling a lion

Word History and Origins

Origin of leonine¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English leonyn, from Latin leōnīnus “lionlike,” equivalent to leōn- (stem of leō) + -īnus; lion, -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leonine¹

C14: from Latin leōnīnus, from leō lion

Example Sentences

He was especially well groomed, whereas Nibbetts was at once leonine, rugged, and nearly shabby.

From Project Gutenberg

He was still bearded, still rather leonine, but he was better groomed than in those days in India.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of a lingering unkemptness, he was indeed a fine object to view—massive and leonine.

From Project Gutenberg

But the marchioness, standing erect with a leonine boldness, fixed him to his place with a scornful look.

From Project Gutenberg

His untrimmed beard, his bent head with its leonine mane of iron-gray hair, lent him an almost patriarchal look.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• big-name
• distinguished
• esteemed
• famed
• high-ranking
• illustrious
• noted
• outstanding
• preeminent
• prominent
• renowned
• well-known