griffon
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Griffin, gryphon, and griffon all refer to the same mythical beast — an eagle-headed, lion-bodied guardian creature. 'Griffin' is the standard modern spelling in dictionaries and general use, while 'griffon' is a variant more common in French-influenced contexts (the word entered English via Old French). 'Gryphon' is an older spelling that persists in fantasy literature, especially in the works of Lewis Carroll and later fantasy authors. A chimera is a different Greek hybrid: part lion, part goat, and part serpent. A hippogriff is a later medieval invention (half-eagle, half-horse) popularised in Renaissance epic poetry. For example, you would say 'a griffin carved on a medieval cathedral' (standard usage), but 'the gryphon appeared in Alice's dream' (literary variant).
Etymology
The word 'griffon' comes from Old French 'griffon', which traces back to Latin 'grȳphus' and Greek 'γρύψ' (gryps). The Greek word may have been borrowed from an ancient Near Eastern language. The name was first used for the mythical creature — a hybrid guardian beast described in ancient Greek and Persian stories. Hundreds of years later, the same name was given to a breed of dog, because its rough bearded face was thought to resemble the mythical griffon's features.