Lion

Lion, lī′un, n. a fierce quadruped of immense strength, the largest of all carnivorous animals, tawny-coloured, the male with a shaggy mane, springing on his prey with a terrific roar: a man of unusual courage: (astron.) Leo, a sign of the zodiac: any object of interest, esp. a famous or conspicuous person much sought after: an old Scotch coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings Scotch (James VI.): (her.) representation of a lion used as a bearing:—fem. Lī′oness.—ns. Lī′oncel, Lī′oncelle (her.), a small lion used as a bearing; Lī′onel, Lī′onet, a young lion; Lī′on-heart, one with great courage.—adj. Līon-heart′ed.—n. Lī′on-hunt′er, a hunter of lions: one who runs after celebrities with foolish adulation, or to get reflected glory from their company.—v.t. Lī′onise, to treat as a lion or object of interest.—n. Lī′onism.—adj. Lī′on-like.—Lion's provider, a popular name for the jackal, supposed to attend upon the lion: any humble friend or follower; Lion's share, the largest share.—A lion in the way, a danger to be met and overcome; British lion, the lion as the British national emblem; Put one's head into the lion's mouth, to get into a position of great danger. [O. Fr. lion—L. leon-em—Gr. leōn; Ger. löwe.]