lion

Etymology

From Anglo-French 'liun,' from Latin 'leō' (genitive 'leōnis'), from Greek 'leōn,' of uncertain ultimate origin. The most widely accepted theory traces the Greek word to an Egyptian or other Afro-Asiatic source, perhaps related to Coptic 'labai' or Egyptian 'rw' (lion). Lions were extinct in Europe by classical times but remained powerful in art, heraldry, and literature. The word entered English twice: once from Old English 'lēo' (directly from Latin, largely displaced) and again from Anglo-French 'liun' after the Norman Conquest, which is the form that survived. Key roots: leōn (Ancient Greek: "lion").

Lion traces back to Ancient Greek leōn, meaning "lion". Across languages it shares form or sense with French lion, Spanish león, Italian leone and German Löwe, evidence of a shared etymological family.