I. ˈgrifə̇n noun
also grif·fon or gryph·on -fən, -ˌfän
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English griffon, griffoun, from Middle French grifon, from grif, from Latin gryphus, from Greek gryp-, gryps, from grypos curved, having a hooked nose; akin to Old English cradol cradle — more at cradle
1.
a. : a fabulous animal typically having head, forepart, and wings like those of an eagle but with visible usually erect ears, forelegs like the legs of an eagle, and body, hind legs, and tail like those of a lion
b. : any of various fantastic animals in art that resemble the griffin or are considered to be ancestral or related to the typical griffin — see male griffin
2. : griffon vulture
[s]griffin.jpg[/s]
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : a white person new to the East : one recently come from the Occident
2.
a. : an untried Chinese racing pony
b. : a tough hardy Mongolian pony used especially for polo
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by alteration
: griffe I 1