eagle

American  

[ee-guhl] / ˈi gəl /

noun

1. any of several large, soaring birds of prey belonging to the hawk family Accipitridae, noted for their size, strength, and powers of flight and vision: formerly widespread in North America, eagles are mostly confined to Alaska and a few isolated populations.

2. a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem.

   the Roman eagle.

3. a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.

4. one of a pair of silver insignia in the shape of eagles with outstretched wings worn by a colonel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and by a captain in the U.S. Navy.

5. Eagle, a gold coin of the United States, traded for investment, available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 dollars containing 1/10 to 1 troy ounce of gold, having on its reverse a picture of an eagle: first issued in 1986.

6. a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.

7. Golf. a score of two below par for any single hole.

8. Astronomy. Eagle, the constellation Aquila.

9. Cards.

   1. a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.

   2. a card of a suit so designated.

   3. eagles, the suit itself.

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verb (used with object)

eagled, eagling

1. Golf. to make an eagle on (a hole).

eagle British  

/ ˈiːɡəl /

noun

1. any of various birds of prey of the genera Aquila, Harpia, etc, having large broad wings and strong soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) See also golden eagle harpy eagle sea eagle

2. a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power

   the Roman eagle

3. a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle

4. golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole

5. a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934

6. the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank

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verb

1. golf to score two strokes under par for a hole

Etymology

Origin of eagle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English egle, from Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus “dark-colored”

Example Sentences

The crown is missing one of eight golden eagles that adorned it but retains its 56 emeralds and all but 10 of its 1,354 diamonds.

From BBC

And I was amazed one day to see an eagle swoop down to the water.

From Literature

Some of the deer meat will go to feed endangered California condors on the mainland, while some carcasses will be left on the land — potential meals for bald eagles and foxes.

From Los Angeles Times

Devoted fans of beloved bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow are grieving after their recently laid eggs were destroyed by ravens, though there’s still hope that another clutch will come.

From Los Angeles Times

Korda, who teed off 90 minutes before the leaders and three strokes adrift, followed back-to-back birdies with an eagle at the third hole.

From Barron's

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator