griffin 1
— griffinesque , adj.
/grif"in/ , n. Class. Myth.
a fabled monster, usually having the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
Also, griffon, gryphon .
[ 1300-50; ME griffoun grifon gryphus gryp- (s. of grýps ) curled, curved, having a hooked nose ]
griffin 2
— griffinage, griffinhood, griffinism , n. — griffinish , adj.
/grif"in/ , n.
(in India and the East) a newcomer, esp. a white person from a Western country.
[ 1785-95; orig. uncert. ]