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eagle

[ee-guh l]
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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.Compare bald eagle, golden eagle.
  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. (initial capital letter) a gold coin of the U.S., 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 U.S., 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. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. 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), ea·gled, ea·gling.
  1. Golf. to make an eagle on (a hole).
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Origin of eagle

1350–1400; Middle English egle < Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle < Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus dark-colored
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for eagle

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He was short and fat and bald, with little eyes, but with a look like an eagle.

  • One had the look of an eagle, with his beak-nose and deep-set, uncowed eyes.

    The Underdog

    F. Hopkinson Smith

  • The raven, wolf, and eagle are the regular epic accompaniments of battle and carnage.

    Beowulf

    Unknown

  • It was my first introduction to the American eagle screaming for all it was worth.

    American Notes

    Rudyard Kipling

  • The difference only between the eagle and the vulture,—serenity or restlessness.

    The Black Tulip

    Alexandre Dumas (Pere)

British Dictionary definitions for eagle

eagle

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 Related adjective: aquiline
  2. a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing powerthe 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
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Word Origin

C14: from Old French aigle, from Old Provençal aigla, from Latin aquila, perhaps from aquilus dark
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

Word Origin and History for eagle

n.

mid-14c., from Old French egle, from Old Provençal aigla, from Latin aquila "black eagle," fem. of aquilus, often explained as "dark colored" (bird); see aquiline. The native term was erne. Golf score sense is first recorded by 1908 (according to old golf sources, because it "soars higher" than a birdie). The figurative eagle-eyed is attested from c.1600.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper