lammergeier

American  

[lam-er-gahy-er, -gahy^uhr] / ˈlæm ərˌgaɪ ər, -ˌgaɪər /

Or lammergeyer,

noun

1. 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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lammergeier British  

/ ˈlæməˌɡaɪə /

noun

1. Also called: bearded vulture.  (archaic): ossifrage.  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)

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Etymology

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 )

Example Sentences

France Joris-Karl Huysmans A rebours // against nature lammergeier can't remember This book is one of those voyages into the unknown of your own self and of Huysman's fantasy..

From The Guardian • Mar. 28, 2011

The awful, witch-like screaming of the lammergeier saluted the falling darkness where he squatted, a huge huddle of unclean plumage amid the debris of decay and death.

From In Secret by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

A black speck appeared high in the sky; grew fast—the lammergeier.

From The Metal Monster by Merritt, Abraham

McKay saw the rock-eagles alight heavily on the shelf, then, squealing defiance, hulk forward, undeterred by the hobgoblin tumult of the lammergeier.

From In Secret by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

A lammergeier swooped down on wide funereal wings; it peered at us; darted away toward the cliffs.

From The Metal Monster by Merritt, Abraham