griffin
/ˈɡrɪfɪn
/(also gryphon /ˈɡrɪf(ə)n/)
noun
A mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, typically depicted with pointed ears and with the eagle’s legs taking the place of the forelegs.A formidable creature half lion, half eagle, the griffin is said to be one thousand times stronger than any lion and five thousand times as farsighted as an eagle....
- Four heraldic beasts - two stags, a lion and a griffin - stand guard at a stone staircase opposite the coffin.
- The pieces, which depict attack scenes between lions, bulls, and griffins, are distinguished by the trefoil rendering of the ears and the braided pattern of the hair along the body contours of the lions.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French grifoun, based on late Latin gryphus, via Latin from Greek grups, grup-.