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′one .— 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 .]