griffin English · revision 14984

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=grc γρύψ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɡrɪf.ɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|grifon|t=a bird of prey; the fabulous bird]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la-lat|gryphus]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) a misspelling of [[m|la|grȳps|t=griffin]],^(Etymonline) from [[grc|γρύψ|tr=grúps|t=griffin]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) literally curved or hook-nosed,^(Etymonline) from [[m|grc|γρυπός|tr=grupós|t=curved, hook-nosed]].^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023) The beast was named for its hooked beak.^(Etymonline) Klein suggested a Semitic source through the Hittites, comparing [[cherub]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a surname about 1200;^(Etymonline) the fabulous creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion is in the OED from the 14th century.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A representation of the beast, as in heraldry, is also from the 14th century,^(OED 1989) and the word meant a vulture from 1382,^(OED 1989) now the griffon vulture.^(OED 1989) A grim or watchful guardian is from 1824.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – as a surname.^(Etymonline)

+ * 14th century – the fabulous beast.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – a vulture.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1824 – a fierce guardian.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A fabulous winged beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[griffinesque]]

+ * [[griffinage]]

+ * [[griffinish]]

+ * [[hippogriff]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[griffon]]

+ * [[gryphon]]

+ * [[cherub]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Another griffin, of unknown origin according to Collins, meant a European newly arrived in India, from 1793,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) probably from the idea of a strange hybrid animal;^(Etymonline) in mid-19th-century Louisiana it meant a person of mixed race.^(Etymonline) In Dorset dialect a griffin was a variety of apple.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}