GRIFFON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does griffon mean? 

• GRIFFON (noun)
  The noun GRIFFON has 4 senses:

1. winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion

2. breed of various very small compact wiry-coated dogs of Belgian origin having a short bearded muzzle

3. breed of medium-sized long-headed dogs with downy undercoat and harsh wiry outer coat; originated in Holland but largely developed in France

4. large vulture of southern Europe and northern Africa having pale plumage with black wings

  Familiarity information: GRIFFON used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRIFFON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

griffin; griffon; gryphon

Hypernyms ("griffon" is a kind of...):

mythical creature; mythical monster (a monster renowned in folklore and myth)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Breed of various very small compact wiry-coated dogs of Belgian origin having a short bearded muzzle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

Belgian griffon; Brussels griffon; griffon

Hypernyms ("griffon" is a kind of...):

Canis familiaris; dog; domestic dog (a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "griffon"):

Brabancon griffon (a variety of Brussels griffon having a short smooth coat)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Breed of medium-sized long-headed dogs with downy undercoat and harsh wiry outer coat; originated in Holland but largely developed in France

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

griffon; wire-haired pointing griffon

Hypernyms ("griffon" is a kind of...):

gun dog; sporting dog (a dog trained to work with sportsmen when they hunt with guns)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Large vulture of southern Europe and northern Africa having pale plumage with black wings

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

griffon; griffon vulture; Gyps fulvus

Hypernyms ("griffon" is a kind of...):

Old World vulture (any of several large vultures of Africa and Eurasia)

Holonyms ("griffon" is a member of...):

genus Gyps; Gyps (a genus of Accipitridae)

 Context examples 

Griffons come in red, a mixture of red-brown and black, black and tan, and solid black.

(Brussels Griffon, NCI Thesaurus)