aquiline

American  

[ak-wuh-lahyn, -lin] / ˈæk wəˌlaɪn, -lɪn /

adjective

1. (of the nose) shaped like an eagle's beak; hooked.

2. of or like the eagle.

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aquiline British  

/ ˈækwɪˌlaɪn /

adjective

1. (of a nose) having the curved or hooked shape of an eagle's beak

2. of or resembling an eagle

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Other Word Forms

• aquilinity noun

Etymology

Origin of aquiline

First recorded in 1640–50; from French or directly from Latin aquilīnus, derivative of aquila “eagle;” eagle, -ine ¹

Explanation

Aquiline means like an eagle, so if someone tells you you have an aquiline nose, it means your nose looks like an eagle’s beak. Believe it or not, this is a compliment. Aquiline comes from the Latin word aquila, for eagle. The ancient Greeks and Romans were crazy about eagles, and thought that if you saw an eagle flying on a significant day, like a battle, it was a sign that you were going to win. So it was a big compliment to say someone’s features were aquiline. It almost always refers to a long, curving nose. We also call it a "Roman nose."

Example Sentences

Tony's aquiline features and grey curls lend him the air of a senator in Ancient Rome.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2023

His wide forehead and aquiline nose gave him the look of a distinguished, almost regal, gentleman, although the crown of his head was as bald as a monk’s.

From Scientific American • Apr. 9, 2022

Partridge, who has the same distinct, aquiline profile as her grandmother, speaks from a studio at the Imogen Cunningham Trust, which houses an extensive collection of Cunningham’s original negatives and prints.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2021

At their commercial climax, principal songwriter and aquiline blond Paul Weller decided he had had enough of the din.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2020

Her nose was aquiline, her teeth sharp, her eyes a nonreflective gray.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld