In mythology, a griffin is a winged creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle.
griffin in British English1
(ˈɡrɪfɪn), griffon or gryphon
noun
a winged monster with an eagle-like head and the body of a lion
Word origin
C14: from Old French grifon, from Latin grӯphus, from Greek grups, from grupos hooked
griffin in British English2
(ˈɡrɪfɪn)
noun
a newcomer to the Orient, esp one from W Europe
Word origin
C18: of unknown origin
griffin in American English
(ˈgrɪfɪn)
noun
a mythical monster with the body and hind legs of a lion and the head, wings, and claws of an eagle
Word origin
ME griffon < OFr grifoun < OHG or It grifo, both < L gryphus, earlier gryps < Gr gryps, griffin < grypos, hooked, curved (prob. so called from its hooked beak) < IE base *ger- > crank1
Examples of 'griffin' in a sentence
griffin
There were not even any ogre howls or griffin shrieks, sounds she had heard many nights from the village.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS (1996)
Orphan told me a little story about a griffin, a long time ago," mused Burned Man.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS (1996)
With this letter and a copy of the pact, which now also encompassed Powys, Brockwell climbed upon the griffin and flew off into the sunrise.
Traci Harding THE ANCIENT FUTURE: THE DARK AGE (1996)