griffin
1[ grif-in ]
/ ˈgrɪf ɪn /
noun Classical Mythology.
a fabled monster, usually having the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
Nearby words
grievous bodily harm, griff, griffa, griffe, griffes, griffin, griffith, griffith, d. w., griffith-joyner, griffo, griffon
Origin of griffin
11300–50; Middle English griffoun < Middle French grifon < Latin grȳphus < Greek grȳp- (stem of grȳ́ps) curled, curved, having a hooked nose
Related forms
grif·fin·esque, adjectiveDefinition for griffin (2 of 3)
griffin
2[ grif-in ]
/ ˈgrɪf ɪn /
noun
(in India and the East) a newcomer, especially a white person from a Western country.
Origin of griffin
2First recorded in 1785–95; origin uncertain
Related forms
grif·fin·age, grif·fin·hood, grif·fin·ism, noungrif·fin·ish, adjectiveDefinition for griffin (3 of 3)
Griffin
[ grif-in ]
/ ˈgrɪf ɪn /
noun
a city in W Georgia.
a male given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for griffin
British Dictionary definitions for griffin (1 of 2)
griffin
1griffon or gryphon
/ (ˈɡrɪfɪn) /
noun
a winged monster with an eagle-like head and the body of a lion
Word Origin for griffin
C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked
British Dictionary definitions for griffin (2 of 2)
griffin
2/ (ˈɡrɪfɪn) /
noun
a newcomer to the Orient, esp one from W Europe
Word Origin for griffin
C18: of unknown origin
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