Griffe

Griffe is a term with multiple meanings across languages and contexts. In French, it primarily denotes a claw or talon—the sharp curved part of an animal’s foot. The word is also used metaphorically to mean a distinctive mark, signature, or stylistic imprint, as in describing the recognizable style of a person, work, or brand.

In the context of fashion and branding, "griffe" is commonly used to refer to a designer label or fashion house, emphasizing a recognizable signature style or prestige. It can appear in phrases such as a designer’s "griffe" or the fashion house’s characteristic look, reflecting the idea of a branded identity rather than a generic product.

In German, the plural "Griffe" means grips or handles, derived from the singular "Griff" for the act of grasping. It is used for physical components and parts that are meant to be grasped, such as door handles or tool grips.

Griffe can also function as a surname and may appear as a place name in various regions, though specific geographic uses depend on local language and history. The term thus spans linguistic meanings from anatomy to branding to everyday hardware, illustrating how a single word can acquire diverse senses in different cultural contexts.