acalephan
n. C2 Proficiency acale·phan
n. a type of ancient creature from Greek mythology that looks like a lion with wings and a snake's tail. It is often shown in art as a monster that guards a treasure.
n. a mythical creature from Greek and Roman art, typically depicted as a lion with wings and a serpentine tail. Often associated with the guardian of the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides.
The artist painted a fierce acalephan guarding the treasure.
In many ancient sculptures, the acalephan is shown as a fearsome guardian with a lion's body and a snake's tail.
The acalephan serves as a prime example of how ancient mythological creatures were used to symbolize both the protective power of the gods and the inherent danger of their domains.