The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Griffin \Grif"fin\, Griffon \Grif"fon\, n. [OE. griffin,
griffon, griffoun, F. griffon, fr. L. gryphus, equiv to
gryps, Gr. ?; -- so called because of the hooked beak, and
akin to grypo`s curved, hook-nosed.]
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1. (Myth.) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It
is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art.
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2. (Her.) A representation of this creature as an heraldic
charge.
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3. (Zool.) A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found
in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa,
and Asia Minor; -- called also gripe, and grype. It is
supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible. The bearded
griffin is the lammergeir. [Written also gryphon.]
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4. An English early apple.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Lammergeir \Lam"mer*geir\ (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]r), Lammergeier
\Lam"mer*gei`er\, lammergeyer \lam"mer*gey`er\
(l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]`[~e]r), n. [G. l[aum]mmergeier; lamm,
pl. l[aum]mmer, lamb + geier vulture.] (Zool.)
A very large vulture (Gypa["e]tus barbatus), which inhabits
the mountains of Southern Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
When full-grown it is nine or ten feet in extent of wings. It
is brownish black above, with the under parts and neck rusty
yellow; the forehead and crown white; the sides of the head
and beard black. It feeds partly on carrion and partly on
small animals, which it kills. It has the habit of carrying
tortoises and marrow bones to a great height, and dropping
them on stones to obtain the contents, and is therefore
called bonebreaker and ossifrage. It is supposed to be
the ossifrage of the Bible. Called also bearded vulture
and bearded eagle.
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