griffin Hear it!

griffin definition

grif·fin (grif′in)

noun

a mythical monster with the body and hind legs of a lion and the head, wings, and claws of an eagle

Etymology: ME griffon < OFr grifoun < OHG or It grifo, both < L gryphus, earlier gryps < Gr gryps, griffin < grypos, hooked, curved (prob. so called from its hooked beak) < IE base *ger- > crank

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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