A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1438, 1499-1560
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Griffon, -oun, n. Also: griph-, grephoun. [ME. griffon, -oun (13 … ), griphon, greffon, OF. grifoun, F. griffon.] A griffin. ?1438 Alex. ii. 11016.
Leopardis, tygris and lyonis, Beris, vnicornis and griffonis c1420 Wynt. i. 570 (W).
For grypis and griffonys dare Nane cum neire be nycht or day a1500 Bk. Chess 73.
His faderis cors … to thre hundreth griffonis gaif he it to eit c1515 Asloan MS I. 302/25.
Leopardis, vnicornis, … griffonnis & siclyk figuris c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxv. 26.
He sall ascend as ane horrebble grephoun [M. griphoun] 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 910.
As the griffoun, and als the greit goshalk … Unto thair pray na kynd of bird will balk
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"Griffon n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/griffon>
