lyon
lyon Lexical Profile
• noun
A major city in east-central France, located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, renowned as a historical center for silk production and widely recognized as the gastronomic capital of the country.
Scottish The chief heraldic officer of Scotland, officially known as the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who regulates heraldry, grants coats of arms, and oversees state ceremonial in Scotland.
"The petition for a new coat of arms was formally submitted to the Court of the Lord Lyon."
Word Nuance & Usage
Lyon is the standard modern spelling for the French city, though it was historically often spelled 'Lyons' in English.
• Rhymes for lyon
Word Origin & Etymology
The city's name derives from the Latin 'Lugdunum', meaning 'hill fort of Lugus' (a Celtic deity). In Scottish heraldry, it is an archaic spelling of 'lion', referring to the lion rampant on the Scottish royal banner.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.