Lion Meaning
/ˈlaɪən/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe.
nounA big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe., A male lion, as opposed to a lioness, which is characterized by having a flowing shaggy mane and taking little part in hunting, which can be done cooperatively.
Sentence Examples
We've got to catch the lion alive.
The lion is called the king of animals.
The lion shook its mane and roared.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The zoo keeper fed the ____ a large piece of raw meat for its dinner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The powerful male ____ let out a loud and deep roar that could be heard from several miles away tonight.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English lyoun, lion, leon, borrowed from Old French lion, from Latin leō, (accusative: leōnem), from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn), of unclear origin. Doublet of Leo, leu, lev, and Lyon. Displaced Old English lēo, from the same Latin source.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For with ſuch puiſſance and impetuous maine / Thoſe Champions broke on them, that forſt the fly, / Like ſcattered Sheepe, whenas the Shepherds ſwaine / A Lyon and a Tigre doth eſpye, / With greedy pace forth ruſhing from the foreſt nye."
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 14, page 311:
"Sinibaldus lists lion's fat as a popular medieval aphrodisiac treatment."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 138:
"It was said of [Edward Plantaganet] that ‘he was a lion for pride and ferocity but a pard for inconstancy and changeableness, not keeping his word or promise but excusing himself with fair words’."
— 2003, Peter Armstrong, Angus McBride, Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 1297–98: William Wallace's Rebellion:
"During this period, we were the lions of the neighbourhood; and, no doubt, strangers from the distant villages were taken to see the "Karhowrees" (white men), in the same way that countrymen, in a city, are gallanted to the Zoological Gardens."
— 1847 March 30, Herman Melville, Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas; […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
"Such society was far more enjoyable than that of Edinburgh, for here he was not a lion, but a man."
— 1844, John Wilson, Essay on the Genius, and Character of Burns:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The zoo keeper fed the ____ a large piece of raw meat for its dinner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The powerful male ____ let out a loud and deep roar that could be heard from several miles away tonight.