Lions
/ˈlaɪənz/noun
Plural of lion: large carnivorous big cats of the genus Panthera.
Did you know?The English word lion ultimately comes from the same ancient source as Greek λέων (léōn) and Latin leo, a name so old it has been roaring through languages for millennia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lew-
“A proposed ancient root associated with the lion name in later languages”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λέων (léōn)
“Lion”
Latin
Latin
leo
“Lion”
Old French
Old French
lion
“Lion”
Middle English
English
lioun
“Lion”
Modern English
English
lion
“A large carnivorous cat; plural lions”