■ noun
1》 ( fem. ~ess ) a large tawny-coloured cat of Africa and NW India, of which the male has a shaggy mane. [ Panthera leo .]
2》 a brave, strong, or fierce person.
3》 (also literary ~ ) a famous author.
4》 ( Lion ) a member of a touring international rugby union team representing the British Isles.
Phrases
the ~'s den an intimidating or unpleasant situation.
the ~'s share the largest participle
Derivatives
~-like adjective
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. liun , from L. leo , leon- , from Gk leōn , leont- .