griffin
noun/ˈɡɹɪf.ɪn/
Etymology From Middle English griffoun, from Old French griffon, from Late Latin grȳphus, from Classical Latin grȳps, from Ancient Greek γρῡ́ψ (grū́ps).
1
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and head and wings of an eagle.
2
A griffon vulture, a large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor, supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible.
3
An English variety of apple.
- Tables were laid out in the palace, profusely covered with wines and refreshments, in the European style; old hands and griffins, fair sex and civilians, seemed all determined to enjoy themselves[…]1842, The Asiatic journal and monthly register, volume 38, page 40:
5
A cadet newly arrived in British India: half English, half Indian.
6
A watchful guardian, especially a duenna in charge of a young woman.
- Derived terms
- bearded griffin, griffinage, griffiness, griffinfly, griffinhood, griffinish, griffinism, hippogriff