Middle English Dictionary Entry
griffǒun n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | griffǒun n.(2) Also grifoun, griphon, griffin, grifin & greffoun, grefon, grefin. |
| Etymology | OF grifon |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The fabulous griffin; (b) a representation of the griffin in heraldry, embroidery, ornamentation, etc.; also, the name of a secret seal; (c) a vulture; ?also, some kind of falcon [often difficult to distinguis from (a)]; (d) as personal name; --also substituted for Welsh Gruffydd.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2133 : Lyk a griffoun [vrr. griphon, grefoun] loked he aboute.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)182a/a : It is impossible to come þerto ffor dragouns & gryffouns.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)178/34 : Griffounes..han the body vpward as an Egle And benethe as a Lyoun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.3794 : The peeple dreedful to beelde ther mansiouns, For feer off deth, because off the griffouns.
- c1440(c1350) Octav.(1) (Thrn)85/353 : Fulle faire of flyghte, A gryffone..he hyghte..The fewle þan was so mekille of myghte, That esyly myghte he bere a knyghte.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)16.361 : Thanne torned I me In semblaunce of a Grifown.
- a1450 Dc.291 Lapid.(Dc 291)p.20 : Bestes þat be named gryffons..kepen þe emeraude vppon the flom of paradys in þe land of syre.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)5963 : I made come a lyoun, The Olifaunte also, and eke the Greffoun [vrr. Gryfone, gryffon].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.79 : Hyt is as impossible to go to theyme [hills of gold] for dragones and grifynnes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.135 : In whiche londe be the hilles Yperboreus, huge griphonnes, golde, gemmes, and smaragdis.
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)15/452 : Both þe chyld and le lyoun Vp yn hys clawys bar þe gryffoun.
b
- (1338) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100376 : Item, xx griffones aurei pro una capa vel casula.
- (1339) in Rymer's Foedera (1816-69)2.1076 : Per literas de secreto sigillo [Regis]..vocato Griffoun.
- (1346) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.101 : [The seal called] la Griffoun.
- (1392) Will York in Sur.Soc.4177 : j coverlit cum tapeto de gryffynse.
- (1415) Invent.Agincourt in Archaeol.7091 : Rubeo Worsted embraudato cum j Griffon.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.621 : Vp on tourettis wer reysed vp figurys..Buglis, bolys, and many grete grifoun, Forged of brasse, of copur and latoun.
- a1425-a1500(?c1350) Libeaus (Kaluza)93 : King Arthour..heng on him a scheld Riche and overgeld, Wiþ a griffoun [vr. gryffyn] of say.
- (1432) Rec.St.Mary at Hill26 : A white vestement of o sewte with briddes & grefons of gold.
- (1439) EEWills117/5 : A Skochen of myn Armes departyd with my lordys, and ij Greffons to bere hit vppe.
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)509 : Gawayne was..graythede one grene, Withe griffones of golde, Engreled fulle gaye.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)2983 : Off red sendel were here baners, Wiþ þree gryffouns depayntyd weel.
- (1458) Visit.St.Paul in Camd.n.s.5591 : Vnum vestimentum cum gryffyns.
- (c1460) Bk.Arms in Anc.3 (Hrl 2169)194 : The feld aseure, the griffon in the felde rampand all of golde.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.11.13 : Thes ben that ȝe shulen not eete of bryddes..an egle & a griffyn [WB(2): grippe; L gryphem] and a merlyon.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)324b/a : Griffouns eiren beþ gretter and hardere þan egle eiren.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)492 : Þe griffon [Ld: goshauk] of him was agast.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)4/14 : Sume to kepe havkes of the toure, and sume to kepe grifyns.
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)1981 : Frome a greffon he was refte.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)701/24 : Hic grifes: a grefyne.
d
- (1205) Fine R.King John296 : Thomas Griffin.
- (1248) Close R.Hen.III91 : Petrus Griffin.
- (1280) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)1.599 : Henry Griffon.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.373 : Godefray þe garlek-mongere and griffyn þe walish.