lammergeier
or lam·mer·gey·er, lam·mer·geir
[ lam-er-gahy-er, -gahyuhr ]
/ ˈlæm ərˌgaɪ ər, -ˌgaɪər /
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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.
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Also called bearded vulture.
Origin of lammergeier
1810–20; <German Lämmergeier literally, lambs' vulture (from its preying on lambs), equivalent to Lämmer, plural of Lammlamb + Geier vulture (cognate with Dutch gier)
Words nearby lammergeier
lamister, lamium, lamivudine, Lammas, Lammastide, lammergeier, Lamont, L'Amour, Lamoureux, lamp, lampad
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for lammergeier
The lammergeier (Gypatus barbatus) had almost become extinct in 1900; but several varieties of eagle and falcon are left.
The plumage of the lammergeier is grayish brown above and nearly white below.
The Animal World, A Book of Natural History|Theodore WoodA lammergeier swooped down on wide funereal wings; it peered at us; darted away toward the cliffs.
The Metal Monster|A. MerrittA black speck appeared high in the sky; grew fast—the lammergeier.
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
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