manticore

English

/ˈmæntɪˌkɔɹ/

noun
Definitions
  • (Greek mythology) 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

Derived from Latin mantichōra derived from Ancient Greek μαντιχώρας derived from Old Persian *𐎶𐎼𐎫𐎹-𐎧𐎺𐎠𐎼 (man-eater).

Origin

Old Persian

*𐎶𐎼𐎫𐎹-𐎧𐎺𐎠𐎼

Gloss

man-eater

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms