lion

Where does the word "lion" come from? It comes from Greek leon, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1200s).

Lion’s story begins in Greek: leon meant “lion.” A Semitic loan in Greek, related to Hebrew 'labi'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as leo. Carried into Latin for the big cat. From there it passed into Old French as lion by medieval. Carried into French for the same animal. It reached English by 1200s as lion. Settled as the English word for the big cat. Today, lion means a large, tawny wild cat native to Africa, known for its mane and roar.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient leon "lion", a Semitic loan in Greek, related to Hebrew 'labi'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient leo "lion", carried into Latin for the big cat.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval lion "lion", carried into French for the same animal.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s lion "a large tawny big cat native to Africa", settled as the English word for the big cat.