lammergeier
or lam·mer·gey·er, lam·mer·geir
[ lam-er-gahy-er, -gahyuh r ]
/ ˈlæm ərˌgaɪ ər, -ˌgaɪər /
|
noun
the largest Eurasian bird of prey, Gypaëtus barbatus, ranging in the mountains from southern Europe to China, having a wingspread of 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3 meters) and black feathers hanging from below the bill like a mustache.
Nearby words
laminous, lamister, lamium, lammas, lammastide, lammergeier, lamont, lamoureux, lamp, lamp chimney, lamp oil
Origin of lammergeier
1810–20; < German Lämmergeier literally, lambs' vulture (from its preying on lambs), equivalent to Lämmer, plural of Lamm lamb + Geier vulture (cognate with Dutch gier)
Also called bearded vulture.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lammergeier
The lammergeier (Gypatus barbatus) had almost become extinct in 1900; but several varieties of eagle and falcon are left.
A lammergeier swooped down on wide funereal wings; it peered at us; darted away toward the cliffs.
The Metal Monster|A. Merritt
British Dictionary definitions for lammergeier
lammergeier
lammergeyer
/ (ˈlæməˌɡaɪə) /
noun
a rare vulture, Gypaetus barbatus, of S Europe, Africa, and Asia, with dark wings, a pale breast, and black feathers around the bill: family Accipitridae (hawks)Also called: bearded vulture (archaic): ossifrage
Word Origin for lammergeier
C19: from German Lämmergeier, from Lämmer lambs + Geier vulture
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