wivern

British  

/ ˈwaɪvən /

noun

1. a less common spelling of wyvern

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Explanation

A wivern is a two-legged dragon with wings and a spiky tail. Medieval literature often features stories that include the mythical wivern. While the wivern is a frequent character in legends and stories from the Middle Ages to contemporary fantasy novels, it's probably most often found in British coats-of-arms and crests. These symbols and designs were found on helmets, shields, and other parts of a feudal knights' armor. A wivern might represent a soldier's family, town, or state. You can also spell it wyvern — either way, the root of the word is the Old French guivre, "snake."

Example Sentences

Crest, a wivern proper: motto, 'God is love.'

From Hetty Wesley by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

The wivern, the crest of the Herberts, did not appear; nor, so far as I could learn, does the fabric itself afford any clue to him who was the principal author of its restoration.

From Notes and Queries, Number 71, March 8, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George