leonine

Definition

Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a lion; lionlike.

Etymology

From Late Middle English leonin, leonine (“characteristic of a lion, lionlike”), from Old French leonin, and from its etymon Latin leōnīnus (“of or pertaining to a lion”), from leō (“lion”) (from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn, “lion”); further etymology uncertain) + -īnus (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’).

Example Sentences

• "He was of a leonine-coloured haire, sanguinocholerique, middle sized, strong."
• "Ti′ger. […] A fierce beaſt of the leonine kind."
• "Redoubted King, of courage leonine, / I mark thee, Richard!"