leonine
pronunciation
How to pronounce leonine in British English:
UK [ˈli:ənaɪn]
How to pronounce leonine in American English:
US [ˈliəˌnaɪn]
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- Adjective:
- of or characteristic of or resembling a lion
Word Origin
- leonine (adj.)
- "lion-like," late 14c., from Old French leonin or directly from Latin leoninus "belonging to or resembling a lion," from leo (genitive leonis) "lion." Weekley thinks that Leonine verse (1650s), rhymed in the middle as well as the end of the line, probably is from the name of some medieval poet, perhaps Leo, Canon of St. Victor, Paris, 12c.
Example
- 1. Beside the front door was a plaque with marx 's leonine head in profile .
- 2. The love of a mother for her children is dominant leonine , selfish and unselfish .
- 3. Somalia 's leonine president , abdullahi yusuf , may be undermining mr adde 's efforts by refusing to compromise with even milder islamists .
- 4. Anyone who wishes to make it with leo must never undermine the leonine dignity , or they will surely suffer the claws of the cat .