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griffe

claw

noun GREEF Rare
Animals & Nature Wild Animals

Origin: Old French grife, Germanic origin

Also means

signature (informal), brand label

Usage Note

Griffe means the claw of an animal but is also the distinctive personal mark or signature of an artist, and in fashion it refers to a designer label. Sous la griffe de ('under the claws of') is an idiomatic expression for being in someone's grip. The related verb is griffer ('to scratch').

Examples

"Le chat a sorti ses griffes."

Natural Translation

The cat extended its claws.

Literal Translation

The cat took out its claws.

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