albatross
[ al-buh-traws, -tros ]
/ ˈæl bəˌtrɔs, -ˌtrɒs /
noun
any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods.Compare wandering albatross.
a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility.
something burdensome that impedes action or progress.
Textiles.
- a lightweight worsted fabric with a crepe or pebble finish.
- a plain-weave cotton fabric with a soft nap surface.
Words nearby albatross
albany congress, albarello, albarium, albata, albategnius, albatross, albatross around one's neck, albay, albedo, albedometer, albee
Origin of albatross
1675–85; variant of algatross frigate bird < Portuguese alcatraz pelican, probably < Arabic al-ghaṭṭāṣ a kind of sea eagle, literally, the diver; -b- for -g- perhaps by association with Latin albus white (the bird's color)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for albatross
British Dictionary definitions for albatross
albatross
/ (ˈælbəˌtrɒs) /
noun
any large oceanic bird of the genera Diomedea and Phoebetria, family Diomedeidae, of cool southern oceans: order Procellariiformes (petrels). They have long narrow wings and are noted for a powerful gliding flightSee also wandering albatross
a constant and inescapable burden or handicapan albatross of debt
golf a score of three strokes under par for a hole
Word Origin for albatross
C17: from Portuguese alcatraz pelican, from Arabic al-ghattās, from al the + ghattās white-tailed sea eagle; influenced by Latin albus white: C20 in sense 2, from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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