ossifrage

[os-uh-frij]

noun

1. the lammergeier.

2. Archaic.,  the osprey.

ossifrage

/ -ˌfreɪdʒ, ˈɒsɪfrɪdʒ /

noun

1. an archaic name for lammergeier osprey

Word History and Origins

Origin of ossifrage¹

1595–1605; < Latin ossifraga sea eagle, literally, bone-breaker (noun use of feminine of ossifragus bone-breaking), equivalent to ossi- (combining form of os ) bone + frag-, variant stem of frangere to break + -a nominative singular feminine noun and adj. ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of ossifrage¹

C17: from Latin ossifraga sea eagle; see _osprey

Example Sentences

Haunt him and harry, ossifrage and osprey!

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The word is said to be a corruption of Ossifrage, the "bone-breaker."

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Pliny, the extremity of the intestine of the ossifrage, if worn as an amulet, is well known to be an excellent remedy for colic.

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The ossifrage is a species of eagle.

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Calcareous lias, slate, and trap are still to be found there, rising from layers of conglomerate, like teeth from a gum; but the pickaxe has broken up and levelled those bristling, rugged peaks which were once the fearful perches of the ossifrage.

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