manticore

Definition

A beast with the body of a lion (usually red), the tail of a scorpion, and the head/face of a man with a mouth filled with multiple rows of sharp teeth (like a shark), said to be able to shoot spikes from its tail or mane to paralyse prey. It may be horned, winged, or both; its voice is described as a mixture of pipes and trumpets.

Etymology

From Latin mantichōras, from Ancient Greek μαρτιχόρας (martikhóras, “man-eater; tiger”), from Old Persian *martyahvārah (“man-eater”), from 𐎶𐎼𐎫𐎡𐎹 (m-r-t-i-y /⁠martyaʰ⁠/, “man”).

Example Sentences

• "Now may I present to you the basilisk? Please down your goggles if you wish to resist From the fiery depths of the planet’s core The never sleeping for want of eating unholy stench of the manticore"