talon

American  

[tal-uhn] / ˈtæl ən /

noun

1. a claw, especially of a bird of prey.

2. the shoulder on the bolt of a lock against which the key presses in sliding the bolt.

3. Cards. the cards left over after the deal; stock.

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talon British  

/ ˈtælən /

noun

1. a sharply hooked claw, esp of a bird of prey

2. anything resembling a bird's claw

3. the part of a lock that the key presses on when it is turned

4. cards the pile of cards left after the deal

5. architect another name for ogee

6. stock exchange a printed slip attached to some bearer bonds to enable the holder to apply for a new sheet of coupons

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talon Scientific  

/ tăl′ən /

1. One of the sharp, curved claws on a limb of a bird or other animal such as a lizard, used for seizing and tearing prey. Most talons are situated at the ends of digits.

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Other Word Forms

• taloned
  adjective
• untaloned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of talon

1350–1400; Middle English taloun < Anglo-French; Old French talon < Vulgar Latin *tālōn-, stem of *tālō, for Latin tālus heel

Explanation

A talon is a large, hooked claw. Although talons are usually associated with eagles, hawks and other birds of prey, you can also use the word to describe the flesh-tearing claws or fingernails of raptors, werewolves or even enraged preschoolers. Talons typically belong to predators — the word implies bloody attack. An owl uses talons to stab and kill its prey. A chicken, however, uses claws to pick at its feathers and scratch around in the dirt. You can also pull talons into the conversation to be funny or sarcastic: “Hey! Get your talons off that piece of cake. It’s mine.”

Example Sentences

He is walking, one black-tipped talon outstretched, wings flat at his side.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2023

Nitzani’s black 2015 Toyota Camry is also riddled with dents, talon marks and beak scratches, while the $30,000 he invested to landscape his front lawn is ruined by brown spots from lounging peafowl.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2023

The birders’ euphemism for catching a talon is “getting footed,” and it’s both extremely painful and difficult to remove.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2022

The hundreds of thousands of acrylic nails used for the structure vary in size, from tiny toenail length to rectangular talon.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 2021

She parted her hair in the center, using the curved talon of her forefinger as a comb.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt