Middle English Dictionary Entry
griffǒun n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | griffǒun n.(1) Also griphon, grefo(u)n. |
| Etymology | OF Grifon |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A Greek; (b) ?some kind of Greek silver.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)116/41 : Of freyns men & of griffouns [vrr. Griffoune, Grefoun], Mi broþer liþ sleyn.
- c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)117/140 : Þe freyns & þe griffouns [Dc: Grefons] fast þai slowe.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1961 : Þe gryffouns..gonne stint atte cherche.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3130 : He..played at þe ches, Wiþ a Griffoun of heþenes.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)3200 : Menelaus told his cas..how thei brende..his tounes In dispite of alle the Gryffounes.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)12921 : Off Troye died many, but mo Griffons.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)145 : The Frenschmen, coupled with a nacion thei clepe Griphones, bet and killid many of Richard men.
b
- c1500 Buy.Silver MSS Hast.in HMC1.421 : Romun plate the unce, ij s. viij d. ob. Gryffuns the unce, iij s. Fyn silver the unce, iij s. vj d.