talon
a claw, especially of a bird of prey.
the shoulder on the bolt of a lock against which the key presses in sliding the bolt.
Cards. the cards left over after the deal; stock.
Origin of talon
1Other words from talon
- taloned, adjective
- un·tal·oned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use talon in a sentence
With her all-powerful and elastic muscles she encircled and oppressed her mount, clawing with two great talons at his breast.
Charles Baudelaire, His Life | Thophile GautierAs he passed he struck for my shoulder, and his grip, although it did not hold, was like the cutting of a hawk's talons.
The Way of a Man | Emerson HoughThe talons of the wild beast enter into your flesh; but with the cephaloptera it is you who enter into the creature.
Toilers of the Sea | Victor HugoTin Philosopher lifted one of his own sets of bright talons.
Bread Overhead | Fritz Reuter LeiberYet, I was still in the tiger's den, and I expected to feel the talons.
British Dictionary definitions for talon
/ (ˈtælən) /
a sharply hooked claw, esp of a bird of prey
anything resembling a bird's claw
the part of a lock that the key presses on when it is turned
cards the pile of cards left after the deal
architect another name for ogee
stock exchange a printed slip attached to some bearer bonds to enable the holder to apply for a new sheet of coupons
Origin of talon
1Derived forms of talon
- taloned, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for talon
[ tăl′ən ]
One of the sharp, curved claws on a limb of a bird or other animal such as a lizard, used for seizing and tearing prey. Most talons are situated at the ends of digits.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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