lion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe.

   Tigers and lions share a common ancestor from a few million years ago.

2. 2
   noun

   A person who shows attributes associated with the lion, such as strength, courage, or ferocity.

   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’.

3. 3
   noun

   A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.

   During this period, we were the lions of the neighbourhood; and, no doubt, strangers from the distant villages were taken to see the "Karhowrees" (white men), in the same way that countrymen, in a city, are gallanted to the Zoological Gardens.

4. 4
   name

   The constellation and zodiacal sign Leo.

   The Lion reigneth in the Back, Sides, Bones, Sinews and Griſles.

5. 5
   noun

   large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

6. 6
   noun

   a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)

7. 7
   noun

   Any of various extant and extinct big cats, especially the mountain lion.

8. 8
   noun

   A Chinese foo dog.

Etymology

From Middle English lyoun, lion, leon, borrowed from Old French lion, from Latin leō, (accusative: leōnem), from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn), of unclear origin. Doublet of Leo, leu, lev, and Lyon. Displaced Old English lēo, from the same Latin source.