A creature of various mythologies; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings; SYN. firedrake.
Mythical reptilian beast, often portrayed with wings and breathing fire. An occasional feature of classical legend (Andromeda), dragons later held a central place as opponents of gods and heroes in Vedic, Teutonic (Siegfried), Anglo-Saxon, and Christian (St George) mythologies, possibly accounting for their heraldic role on medieval banners and weaponry.
In Christian art the dragon is linked with the devil; in traditional Chinese belief it is a symbol of divinity and royalty, associated with storms and rain.
Animal fabuleux qu'on représente avec des griffes, des ailes, une queue de serpent et crachant le feu.
ETYM French dragon, Latin draco, from Greek, akin to Skr. darg to see. Related to Drake a dragon, Dragoon.
1. A fiercely vigilant and unpleasant woman; SYN. tartar.
2. A violent, combative, or very strict person.
Name popularly given to various sorts of lizard. These include the flying dragon Draco volans of SE Asia; the komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis of Indonesia, at over 3 m/10 ft the largest living lizard; and some Australian lizards with bizarre spines or frills.
Any of several small tropical Asian lizards capable of gliding by spreading winglike membranes on each side of the body; SYN. flying dragon, flying lizard.