Synonyms for lion

Grammar : Noun

Spell : lahy-uh n

Phonetic Transcription : ˈlaɪ ən

Définition of lion

Origin : late 12c., from Old French lion "lion," figuratively "hero," from Latin leonem (nominative leo) "lion; the constellation leo," from Greek leon (genitive leontos), from a non-Indo-European language, perhaps Semitic (cf. Hebrew labhi "lion," plural lebaim; Egyptian labai, lawai "lioness").
A general Germanic borrowing from Latin (cf. Old English leo, Anglian lea; Old Frisian lawa; Middle Dutch leuwe, Dutch leeuw; Old High German lewo, German Löwe); it is found in most European languages, often via Germanic (cf. Old Church Slavonic livu, Polish lew, Czech lev, Old Irish leon, Welsh llew). Used figuratively from c.1200 in an approving sense, "one who is fiercely brave," and a disapproving one, "tyrannical leader, greedy devourer." Lion's share "the greatest portion" is attested from 1701.

noun feline

Example sentences :

Well, boy, I'd say that the lion had been chawed up considerable—by dogs.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

It is a fool's plan to teach a man to be a cur in peace, and think that he will be a lion in war.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

I want to make a cushion of my lion's skin, for the weight to rest upon.
Extract from : « The Three Golden Apples » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

But pretty soon there was plenty of sound, for the lion was catching up.
Extract from : « Tom Sawyer Abroad » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

That one is the lion; and they hunt him with spears in the long grass.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

The diversion occurred at the moment of the lion's greatest tension.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

There is no more exciting sport than that of lion shooting afoot.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

M'tela took form as a big man with a voice like the lion at night.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

No; the spirit of a lion is not to be roused by the teasing of an insect.
Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

The Huron arose, and shook himself like a lion quitting his lair.
Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019