lion

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.4 See also 2 French 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Pronunciation 2.3 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: lī'ən, IPA: /ˈlaɪən/, SAMPA: /"laI@n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -aɪən

[edit] Noun

lion (plural lions or lion)

Wikispecies

1. A large 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.
   • 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. (idiomatic) An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.
   • 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] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

ant lion leo Leon Leonids

leonine lioness Lyon marsupial lion sea lion

[edit] See also

• Appendix: Animals
• Appendix: Collective nouns
• cub
• cougar
• leopard
• Lion's club
• Lion's sermon
• panther
• puma
• tiger

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[edit] French

[edit] Etymology

Latin leonis.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}
• IPA: /ljɔ̃/

[edit] Noun

lion m. (plural lions)

1. Lion (1)
2. (figuratively) Lion (4)

   Se défendre comme un lion, to defend oneself with great courage.

3. (heraldry) Lion (2)
4. (figuratively) (dated) Lion (5)
5. (dated) A style of elegant young man that came after the dandy.