noun
kirin
kēʹrǐnʹ
noun
1
A mythical hooved chimerical creature from East Asian folklore, similar to the qilin; the term is typically used in Japanese contexts.
"The temple gate was flanked by carved stone kirin."
How to Use Kirin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legendary, dragon-like hoofed creature from Chinese and Japanese mythology, often seen as a good omen.
Easily confused with
qilin
Word Forms
kirins plural
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The temple gate was flanked by carved stone _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 麒麟 (kirin), ultimately from Middle Chinese; a doublet of qilin, the Chinese term for the same legendary beast.