pendragon

[pen-drag-uh n]

noun

the supreme leader: the title of certain ancient British chiefs.

Origin of pendragon

1470–80; < Medieval Latin (Geoffrey of Monmouth) Uthyrpendragun Uther Pendragon, taken as Medieval Welsh pen(n) head + *dragun < Late Latin dracōnēs, plural of dracō military standard, Latin: serpent, dragon (hence, chief or head standard), though the compound is unattested in Welsh sources outside of translations of Geoffrey of Monmouth

Related formspen·drag·on·ish, adjectivepen·drag·on·ship, noun

Pendragon

[pen-drag-uh n]

noun

either of two kings of ancient Britain.Compare Arthur(def 2), Uther.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pendragon

Historical Examples of pendragon

I said I had gone across to Pendragon Park and shut the door in his face.
The Wisdom of Father Brown
G. K. Chesterton
At the last Mrs. Pendragon pleaded a headache, and could not go.
Their Pilgrimage
Charles Dudley Warner
Could swear that he never knew the horse "Pendragon" was stolen.
Nevermore
Rolf Boldrewood
"I hope I am a 'true' Pendragon," he said, rather thoughtfully.
Set in Silver
Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson
"Certainly you won't be here long, or where Pendragon is," said he.
Set in Silver
Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for pendragon

pendragon

noun

a supreme war chief or leader of the ancient Britons

Derived Formspendragonship, noun

Word Origin for pendragon

Welsh, literally: head dragon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pendragon

"Welsh warlord" (mainly known now in Arthurian Uther Pendragon), late 15c., title of a chief leader in war of ancient Britain or Wales, from pen "head" (see pen-) + dragon, which figured on the standard of a cohort.