griffin

n. a legendary animal with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.

n. a mythical creature typically depicted with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and sometimes an eagle's talons as its front feet.

“The stone griffin stood guard at the entrance to the old library.”

“In medieval heraldry, the griffin was often used to symbolize strength and vigilance, as it combined the king of beasts with the king of birds.”

n. a word used in the past for a European person who had just arrived in India.

n. a term formerly used in British India to denote a newly arrived European, particularly a young official or cadet who was inexperienced in local customs.

“The older officers laughed at the griffin who didn't know how to dress for the heat.”

“Nineteenth-century colonial literature frequently depicts the 'griffin' as a comic figure struggling to adapt to the social rigours of the British Raj.”

Archaic · British English · Dialect

n. a person who watches someone very closely to make sure they behave.

n. a vigilant or strict guardian, especially one tasked with supervising a young person's conduct.

“Her aunt acted like a griffin, never letting her speak to the guests alone.”

“The headmistress was a formidable griffin who patrolled the dormitory hallways with an eagle eye for any sign of mischief.”

Literary