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.
Also griffon, gryph·on [grif-uh n] /ˈgrɪf ən/.

Origin of griffin

1
1300–50; Middle English griffoun < Middle French grifon < Latin grȳphus < Greek grȳp- (stem of grȳ́ps) curled, curved, having a hooked nose

OTHER WORDS FROM griffin

grif·fin·esque, adjective

Definition 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

2
First recorded in 1785–95; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM griffin

grif·fin·age, grif·fin·hood, grif·fin·ism, noun grif·fin·ish, adjective

Definition for griffin (3 of 3)

Griffin
[ grif-in ]
/ ˈgrɪf ɪn /

noun

a city in W Georgia.
a male given name.

Example sentences from the Web for griffin

British Dictionary definitions for griffin (1 of 2)

griffin 1

griffon 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