lamassu

L1A1M3A1S1S1U1
UK/ləˈmasuː/

noun

An Assyrian protective deity, often depicted as having the head of a human, the body of an ox or lion, and the wings of a bird.

OriginAkkadian 𒀭𒆗 →
Scrabble 9
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Meanings

nounlamassu (plural lamassu or lamassus)

plural lamassus

  1. An Assyrian protective deity, often depicted as having the head of a human, the body of an ox or lion, and the wings of a bird.
  2. broadlyA representation – especially a statue – of a lamassu.

Origin

  1. Akkadian𒀭𒆗
  2. Englishlamassu

Learned borrowing from Akkadian 𒀭𒆗 (lamassu).

More words from Akkadian

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch stierman
  • stiermanAssyrian protective deity
French lamassu
  • lamassuAssyrian protective deity
Latin lamassu, lamassu
  • lamassuAssyrian protective deity
  • lamassurepresentation of a lamassu
Persian گاو بالدار
  • گاو بالدار (gâv-e bâl-dâr)Assyrian protective deity
Polish lamassu, lamassu
  • lamassuAssyrian protective deity
  • lamassurepresentation of a lamassu

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

massula
Cite this entry
APA

lamassu. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lamassu

MLA

“lamassu.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lamassu. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lamassu,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lamassu.

Source: lamassu on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.