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Lion vs Griffin - What's the difference?

lion | griffin |

As nouns the difference between lion and griffin

is that lion is a big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions while griffin is a mythical beast having the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle.

As an adjective lion

is of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.

As a proper noun Griffin is

{{surname|common Irish|from=Irish}}, the anglicized form of both the Ó Gríobhtha (Ballygriffey Co. Clare) and Ó Grifín (Dingle, Co. Kerry) clans.

lion

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A big cat, Panthera leo , native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions.
    • Tigers and lions share a common ancestor from a few million years ago.
  • # A male lion.
  • (heraldiccharge) A stylized representation of a large cat, used on a coat of arms.
  • A Chinese foo dog.
  • An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.
  • * 2003 , Peter Armstrong and Angus McBride, Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 1297–98: William Wallace's Rebellion :
    • It was said of [Edward Plantaganet] that 'he was a lion for pride and ferocity but a pard for inconstancy and changeableness, not keeping his word or promise but excusing himself with fair words'.
  • A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.
  • * Prof. Wilson
    • Such society was far more enjoyable than that of Edinburgh, for here he was not a lion , but a man.
  • * 1919 ,
    • Rose Waterford was a cynic. She looked upon life as an opportunity for writing novels and the public as her raw material. Now and then she invited members of it to her house if they showed an appreciation of her talent and entertained with proper lavishness. She held their weakness for lions in good-humoured contempt, but played to them her part of the distinguished woman of letters with decorum.
  • A light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion

    • Coordinate terms

    * (Panthera leo) cougar, leopard, panther, puma, tiger * (male lion individual) cub, lioness

    Holonyms

    * (individual Panthera leo) pride

    Derived terms

    * antlion, ant lion * aphid lion, aphis lion * beard the lion * Cape lion * cave lion * dandelion * golden lion tamarin * Lion of Judah * Lion of St Mark * Lion of Venice * lion's ear * lion's foot * lion's leaf * lion's share * lion's tail * lion's tooth * lion cub * lioness * lionfish * Lionheart * lionhearted, lion-hearted * lionhood * lionise, lionize * lionism * lionlike * lionly * lionship * marsupial lion * mountain lion * Nemean lion * sea lion * Steller's sea lion * twist the lion's tail

    Related terms

    * leo * Leon * Leonids * leonine * Lion's club * Lion's sermon * Lyon

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.

    • See also

    * (wikipedia) * (Panthera leo) * (commonslite) * *

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    griffin

    English

    (wikipedia griffin)

    Alternative forms

    * gryfon (obsolete) * gryphon * griffon

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mythical beast having the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle.
  • (dated, Anglo-Indian) A person who has just arrived from Europe.
  • * 1842 , The Asiatic journal and monthly register (volume 38, page 40)
    • Tables were laid out in the palace, profusely covered with wines and refreshments, in the European style; old hands and griffins , fair sex and civilians, seemed all determined to enjoy themselves
  • A large vulture (Gyps fulvus ) found in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor, supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible. The bearded griffin is the lammergeier.
  • An English early apple.
  • A cadet newly arrived in British India: half English, half Indian.[http://books.google.com/books?id=pgoPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA555]

    • Anagrams

    *

    References