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griffin
(grif′in)
noun
a mythical monster with the body and hind legs of a lion and the head, wings, and claws of an eagle
Origin: 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
See griffin in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also grif·fon or gryph·on
noun A fabulous beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English griffoun
Origin: , from Old French griffon
Origin: , from grif
Origin: , from Latin grȳpus, grȳphus
Origin: , variants of grȳps, grȳp-
Origin: , from Greek grūps
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