lion

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
lion/ˈlʌɪən/

▶noun

• 1 (fem. lioness) a large tawny-coloured cat of Africa and NW India, of which the male has a shaggy mane. [Panthera leo.]

• 2 a brave, strong, or fierce person.

• 3 (also literary lion) a famous author.

• 4 (Lion) a member of a touring international rugby union team representing the British Isles.

– phrases
the lion's den an intimidating or unpleasant situation.
the lion's share the largest part.

– derivatives
lion-like adjective.

– origin ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. liun, from L. leo, leon-, from Gk leōn, leont-.