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, adjective

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