Pendragon

Etymology

From Middle English Pendragon, borrowed from Welsh pendragon, from pen (“head, chief”) and dragon. Compare Latin insularis draco “dragon of the island”, an epithet of Maelgwn Gwynedd. Attested in Middle English since the twelfth century.

Pronunciation

• (Britain) IPA^(key): /pɛnˈdraɡ(ə)n/
• (North America) IPA^(key): /ˈpɛnˌdræɡ(ə)n/, /pɛnˈdræɡ(ə)n/

Noun

Pendragon (usually uncountable, plural Pendragons)

1. Title for an ancient Welsh or British ruler, or pendragon.
2. (Arthurian legend) Epithet of Uther, the father of King Arthur.
   • 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte D'Arthur‎, Book I, chapter 1:

     It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that held war against him long time.

3. (Arthurian legend) Epithet or surname of King Arthur [from 19th c.].
   • 1860, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Lancelot and Elaine”, in Idylls of the King:

     And after muttering “the great Lancelot” / At last he got his breath and answer'd “One, / One have I seen — that other, our liege lord, / The dread Pendragon, Britain's king of kings, […] ”

Noun

Pendragon (uncountable)

1. (Arthurian legend) Epithet of Uther, the father of King Arthur.
   • c. 1215, Layamon, Brut, lines 1516-1517:

     He wes þere an Æstre mid aðele his uolke; / bliðe wes þe Lundenes tun for Vthere Pendragun.

     He was there at Easter with his noble army; / Happy was the town of London for Uther Pendragon.