The word “great” directs the reader to the previous use of this term in Revelation 12:3. In that verse, the term “great” did not intend to describe the dragon as big but as impressive—as his seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems demonstrated. Though now defeated and tossed aside, the dragon still has those seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems, and so still looks intimidatingly imposing.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.