| griffe | The offspring of a mulatto woman and a negro; also, a mulatto. Origin: F. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| Griffith, Frederick | <person> A bacteriologist who discovered that if he put pathogenic (disease-causing) pneumococcus bacteria which had been killed by heat in with nonpathogenic pneumococcus bacteria which were alive, then the live, nonpathogenic bacteria would become pathogenic. His work became the groundwork for other scientists to discover that DNA was the factor which transformed the bacteria. Lived: 1881-1941. (13 Nov 1997) |
| griffon | 1. A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art. 2. A representation of this creature as an heraldic charge. 3. <zoology> A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor; called also gripe, and grype. It is supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible. The bearded griffin is the lammergeir. Alternative forms: gryphon. 4. An English early apple. Origin: OE. Griffin, griffon, griffoun, F. Griffon, fr. L. Gryphus, equiv to gryps, Gr.; so called because of the hooked beak, and akin to curved, hook-nosed. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |