griffon

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n griffon large vulture of southern Europe and northern Africa having pale plumage with black wings
    • n griffon breed of medium-sized long-headed dogs with downy undercoat and harsh wiry outer coat; originated in Holland but largely developed in France
    • n griffon breed of various very small compact wiry-coated dogs of Belgian origin having a short bearded muzzle
    • n griffon winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • Griffon (Myth) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art.
    • Griffon (Her) A representation of this creature as an heraldic charge.
    • Griffon (Zoöl) A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor; -- called also gripe, and grype. It is supposed to be the “eagle” of the Bible. The bearded griffin is the lammergeir.
    • Griffon An English early apple.
    • n Griffon grĭf"fŏn One of a European breed of rough-coated dogs, somewhat taller than the setter and of a grizzly liver color. They are used in hunting game birds. The Brussels griffon is a very small, wiry-coated, short-nosed pet dog of Belgian origin.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n griffon Same as griffin.
    • n griffon A Greek.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Griffon an imaginary animal, with the body and legs of a lion, and the crooked beak and wings of an eagle: a new-comer in India, a novice: a watchful guardian, esp. over a young woman: a duenna
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
OE. griffin, griffon, griffoun, F. griffon, fr. L. gryphus, equiv to gryps, Gr. ; -- so called because of the hooked beak, and akin to grypo`s curved, hook-nosed
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Fr. griffon—L. gryphus—Gr. gryps—grypos, hook-nosed.

Usage

In literature:

The lord of the Castle of the Griffons marvelleth much that Lancelot delayeth so long.
"High History of the Holy Graal" by Unknown
It was to them what griffon or fire-breathing dragon might be to a Seville throng.
"1492" by Mary Johnston
Gale Anstey, Burnt House, Rocketts, the Home Farm, and Griffons?
"Actions and Reactions" by Rudyard Kipling
She opened out her hands palms upward, throwing down her parasol, as she did so, upon her neighbour's little Belgian griffon, who yelped.
"The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne" by William J. Locke
We have certainly here the source of our barbets and griffons.
"Scientific American Supplement, No. 803, May 23, 1891" by Various
The lions and griffons and mythical beasts of the finials were singing.
"A Child's Book of Saints" by William Canton
During the first day, M. Griffon entirely lost his senses.
"Perils and Captivity" by Charlotte-Adélaïde [née Picard] Dard
A target stood near by, and on it clashed Griffon and stag, adverse as right and wrong.
"Stories in Verse" by Henry Abbey
A huge china griffon stood at the right of the gate.
"The Best Short Stories of 1919" by Various
And there be also many griffons, more plenty than in any other country.
"The World's Greatest Books, Volume 19" by Various
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In news:

Scenthound Group: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
ukcdogs.com
Companion Dog Group: Brussels Griffon .
ukcdogs.com
But it has worked for Griffon Aerospace, a low-cost, high-volume manufacturer of unmanned aircraft.
aviationnow.com
35,000 years ago, humans in what's now Germany were making sophisticated flutes from the bones of griffon vultures.
discovermagazine.com
Gun Dog Group: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
ukcdogs.com
It was first known as the Korthals Griffon for this reason.
ukcdogs.com
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1936.
ukcdogs.com
Medium sized and bred to cover all terrain encountered by the walking hunter, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has been called the "4-wheel drive of hunting dogs" as he will enter briars or underbrush without hesitation.
marthastewart.com
Tha's the Brussells Griffon on the right.
kyssfm.com
RAKA is a 1-year-old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon from SUFFOLK , VA. Norma Jean is a 0-year-old Jack Russell Terrier from Suffolk , VA. Susan is a 5-year-old Mixed Breed from Suffolk , VA. Rocky is a 1-year-old Rottweiler from Suffolk , VA.
dogchannel.com
The Cape Griffon vulture, the largest bird of its kind in Africa, is also one of the most endangered.
pbs.org
Brussels Griffon FEMALE 6 YEARS OLD  Benton, AR.
dogchannel.com
Of more concern, however, are mass accidental poisonings, says Maria Diekmann of the Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) in Namibia, where Cape Griffon vultures are the most endangered of all animal species.
pbs.org
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Related words