[a. L. Tȳphōn, a. Gr. Τῡφῶν, name of a giant (see below); also, a tempestuous wind (see next); also applied to a comet or meteor.] The name of a giant or monster of ancient Greek mythology (according to Hesiod, the son of Typhoeus (see TYPHŒAN), and father of the Winds; later identified with Typhoeus), fabled to have been buried under Mount Etna, and represented as having a hundred heads and breathing out flames; also used as a name for the Egyptian evil divinity Set. Hence allusively.
1592. Kyd, Sol. & Pers., I. iii. Bas. What, wouldst thou haue me a Typhon, To beare vp Peleon or Ossa? Pist. Typhon me no Typhons.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, I. i. (1660), 7. Ulysses bare a Dolphin and a Typhon breathing out flames of fire.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xx. § 14. This aery Typhon [Lambert Symnell], which grasped at the embracement of the two Kingdomes of England and Ireland.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 40. Those brazen Typhons, which disgorge … metal, flame, and smoak.
1820. T. Mitchell, Aristoph., I. 202. He marches all elate ’Gainst that Typhon of the state, Storm and hurricane and tempest combining.
a. 1864. T. Archer, in Macfarlane, Mem., vii. (1867), 190. Boring away at Berosus and Sanchoniatho … at Demi-gods and Typhons.
Comb. 1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. II. Imposture, 637. Wo to the vain bravados Of Typhon-like invincible Armados.
1859. J. C. Fairbairn, Hymns & Poems, 92. That brindled monster, typhon-born.
