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Monday, November 22, 2010

Lion Lyn Leon Leonid Lennin

 

lion

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See also líon, and Lion

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[edit] English


A lion.

[edit] Etymology

From Old French lion, from Latin leō, (genitive: leōnis), from Ancient Greek λέων (leōn), likely a borrowing from a Semitic language; compare Proto-Semitic *labiʾ-.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

lion (plural lions or lion)
  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.
  2. (heraldry): A stylized representation of a large cat, used on a coat of arms.  [quotations ▼]
    • The arms of the University of the West Indies are Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure an open Book proper bound Gules garnished Or on a Chief of the third a Lion passant guardant Erminois. Crest: A Pelican proper. (in other words a spotted lion lying down). See talk page.
  3. A Chinese foo dog.
  4. An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.  [quotations ▼]
    • 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'. 2003 Peter Armstrong & Angus McBride Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 1297-98: William Wallace's Rebellion.
  5. A famous person.

[edit] Coordinate terms

[edit] Holonyms

  • (individual Panthera leo): pride

[edit] Derived terms

[show ▼]derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[show ▼]terms related to lion

[edit] Translations

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