lion

See also: Lion, lìon, and líon

English
A lion.

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English lyoun, lion, leon, borrowed from Old French lion, from Latin leō, (accusative: leōnem), from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn). Some argue that it is a borrowing from a Semitic language; however evidence is not clear and the relation with Proto-Semitic *labiʾ- is not solid. Semitic "labi/lavi" could either be a parent term to the Greek one or both could have evolved independently from a now lost root. Many ancient languages possessed similar words for lion, including Akkadian 𒌨 (labbu). It is unclear as to who borrowed the word from whom, though the ultimate source is likely non-Indo-European.

Pronunciation
  • enPR: lī'ən, IPA(key): /ˈlaɪən/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio(file)
  • Rhymes: -aɪən

Noun

lion (plural lions or lion, feminine lioness)

  1. A big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions.
    Tigers and lions share a common ancestor from a few million years ago.
    1. A male lion.
  2. (heraldry) A stylized representation of a large cat, used on a coat of arms.
  3. A Chinese foo dog.
  4. An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.
    • 2003, Peter Armstrong and Angus McBride, Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 1297–98: William Wallace's Rebellion:
      It was said of [Edward Plantaganet] that 'he was a lion for pride and ferocity but a pard for inconstancy and changeableness, not keeping his word or promise but excusing himself with fair words'.
  5. A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.
    • Prof. Wilson
      Such society was far more enjoyable than that of Edinburgh, for here he was not a lion, but a man.
    • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, ch. 4
      Rose Waterford was a cynic. She looked upon life as an opportunity for writing novels and the public as her raw material. Now and then she invited members of it to her house if they showed an appreciation of her talent and entertained with proper lavishness. She held their weakness for lions in good-humoured contempt, but played to them her part of the distinguished woman of letters with decorum.
  6. A light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
    lion colour:  
  7. (historical) An old Scottish coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings.

Holonyms
  • (individual Panthera leo): pride

Coordinate terms

Derived terms
Terms derived from lion
Terms etymologically related to lion

Descendants

Translations

Adjective

lion (not comparable)

  1. Of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.

See also

Anagrams

French

Etymology

From Old French lion, a semi-learned borrowing from Latin leō, leōnem, from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ljɔ̃/
  • audio(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔ̃
  • Homophone: Lyon

Noun

lion m (plural lions, feminine lionne)

  1. (zoology) lion
    1. (specifically) male lion
  2. (figuratively) lion (brave person)
    Se défendre comme un lion, - to defend oneself with great courage
  3. (heraldry) lion
  4. (figuratively, dated) lion (celebrity; famous person)
  5. (dated) a style of elegant young man that came after the dandy

Descendants
  • Haitian Creole: lyon
  • Mauritian Creole: lyon
  • Seychellois Creole: lyon

Further reading

Anagrams

Kabuverdianu

Etymology

From Spanish león.

Noun

lion

  1. lion

Old French

Alternative forms

Etymology

Semi-learned borrowing from Latin leō, leōnem, derived from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn).

Noun

lion m (oblique plural lions, nominative singular lions, nominative plural lion)

  1. lion (animal)

Descendants
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