-lions

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Paillon \Pail`lon"\, n.; pl. {-lions}. [F., fr. paille straw.]
     A thin leaf of metal, as for use in gilding or enameling, or
     to show through a translucent medium.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:



  Lions
     the most powerful of all carnivorous animals. Although not now
     found in Palestine, they must have been in ancient times very
     numerous there. They had their lairs in the forests (Jer. 5:6;
     12:8; Amos 3:4), in the caves of the mountains (Cant. 4:8; Nah.
     2:12), and in the canebrakes on the banks of the Jordan (Jer.
     49:19; 50:44; Zech. 11:3).
     
       No fewer than at least six different words are used in the Old
     Testament for the lion. (1.) _Gor_ (i.e., a "suckling"), the
     lion's whelp (Gen. 49:9; Jer. 51:38, etc.). (2.) _Kephir_ (i.e.,
     "shaggy"), the young lion (Judg. 14:5; Job 4:10; Ps. 91:13;
     104:21), a term which is also used figuratively of cruel enemies
     (Ps. 34:10; 35:17; 58:6; Jer. 2:15). (3.) _'Ari_ (i.e., the
     "puller" in pieces), denoting the lion in general, without
     reference to age or sex (Num. 23:24; 2 Sam. 17:10, etc.). (4.)
     _Shahal_ (the "roarer"), the mature lion (Job 4:10; Ps. 91:13;
     Prov. 26:13; Hos. 5:14). (5.) _Laish_, so called from its
     strength and bravery (Job 4:11; Prov. 30:30; Isa. 30:6). The
     capital of Northern Dan received its name from this word. (6.)
     _Labi_, from a root meaning "to roar," a grown lion or lioness
     (Gen. 49:9; Num. 23:24; 24:9; Ezek. 19:2; Nah. 2:11).
     
       The lion of Palestine was properly of the Asiatic variety,
     distinguished from the African variety, which is larger. Yet it
     not only attacked flocks in the presence of the shepherd, but
     also laid waste towns and villages (2 Kings 17:25, 26) and
     devoured men (1 Kings 13:24, 25). Shepherds sometimes,
     single-handed, encountered lions and slew them (1 Sam. 17:34,
     35; Amos 3:12). Samson seized a young lion with his hands and
     "rent him as he would have rent a kid" (Judg. 14:5, 6). The
     strength (Judg. 14:18), courage (2 Sam. 17:10), and ferocity
     (Gen. 49:9) of the lion were proverbial.