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

In his response, Griffin confirmed that “the execution varies by the channel of the order.”

From Washington Post

Griffin never entered the Capitol building itself, did not realize he was standing in restricted areas and posed no serious risk of flight, Smith said.

From Washington Post

The job title would later change to director of programming, but Griffin’s vision has been remarkably consistent.

From Washington Post

Still, there are some indications that perhaps the last remnants of Griffin’s dominance were drained from the bottle during the 2019-20 campaign.

From FiveThirtyEight

Griffin and another coach from the high school attended Maryland’s game at Rutgers in March.

From Washington Post

Missing from much of the action were Lois Griffin and Marge Simpson.

From The Daily Beast

The series begins with a voiceover from a 9-year-old boy named Charlie (Griffin Gluck), basically a more precocious Meredith Grey.

From The Daily Beast

Griffin is herself a character in the novel, the invisible hand on the other end of the tape recorder in all the interviews.

From The Daily Beast

Griffin mined the portfolios of four artists to create the vast collection of images that dot the book.

From The Daily Beast

Griffin Dunne directed that episode and he wanted me to feel like a caged animal.

From The Daily Beast

There was the most portentous picture of a Griffin on the first page, with verses below.

From Project Gutenberg

Goodness only knew what a falchion was, but there was the Griffin, and his history was an improvement upon the eternal Cat.

From Project Gutenberg

The Griffin carried off one sheep a day from a German village, till a man came with a "falchion" and split the Griffin open.

From Project Gutenberg

A more simple thing would be to take the griffin to your wife and bring her here.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, bring here the griffin of Signor Astolfo, and let me mount en croupe, and go to my wife.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cat
• cougar
• wildcat