lion
[ lahy-uh n ]
/ ˈlaɪ ən /
noun
Idioms for lion
beard the lion in its den,
to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.
twist the lion's tail,
to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.
Origin of lion
before 900; Middle English < Old French, variant of
leon < Latin
leōn- (stem of
leō) < Greek
léōn; replacing Middle English, Old English
lēo < Latin, as above
OTHER WORDS FROM lion
li·on·esque, adjective li·on·like, li·on·ly, adjectiveWords nearby lion
Example sentences from the Web for lion
British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)
lion
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
noun
a large gregarious predatory feline mammal, Panthera leo, of open country in parts of Africa and India, having a tawny yellow coat and, in the male, a shaggy mane
Related adjective: leonine
a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain
a courageous, strong, or bellicose person
a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following
beard the lion in his den
to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour
the lion's share
the largest portion
Word Origin for lion
Old English
līo, lēo (Middle English
lioun, from Anglo-French
liun), both from Latin
leo, Greek
leōn
British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)
Lion
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
noun
the Lion
the constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac
Idioms and Phrases with lion
lion