talon

[ tal-uhn ]

See synonyms for: talon talons on Thesaurus.com

noun

a claw, especially of a bird of prey.
the shoulder on the bolt of a lock against which the key presses in sliding the bolt.

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

Origin of talon

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

Other words from talon

taloned, adjective
un·tal·oned, adjective

Words Nearby talon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use talon in a sentence

The Haast’s eagle is known to have consumed another extinct Pacific bird, the moa, based on preserved bones scarred by talons.
This 30-pound eagle would take down 400-pound prey and dig through their organs | Margo Milanowski | December 3, 2021 | Popular-Science
They found that the harpagornis’s beak and talons were more eagle-like in nature and able to withstand high amounts of pressure, leading them to believe that it was in fact a predator.
This 30-pound eagle would take down 400-pound prey and dig through their organs | Margo Milanowski | December 3, 2021 | Popular-Science
A chicken Amigo named Chicharrón is also present in Far Cry 6, and possesses the ability to attack foes with large talons.
Far Cry 6 Cockfighting Minigame's Replacement Demanded By PETA | noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) | October 7, 2021 | TechCrunch
The Black talon is a jacketed hollow-point bullet with perforations designed to expand following impact with soft tissue.
Pistorius’s Cross-Examination Could Have Been Grounds for a Mistrial in a U.S. Court | James D. Zirin | May 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Whom should we blame for the Black talon ammunition that ripped through her?
Pistorius’s Cross-Examination Could Have Been Grounds for a Mistrial in a U.S. Court | James D. Zirin | May 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

With his talon-like hands he began clawing at the sick man, who was twisting and tossing on his couch, as though with convulsions.
The Boy Chums in the Florida Jungle | Wilmer M. Ely
No sooner had Don Luis entered the hall than a hand, or rather a talon, seized him by the right arm.
Pepita Ximenez | Juan Valera
I told them that if we only gave you a chance you would be a perfect talon rouge.
The American | Henry James
All night he labored, beak and talon, until the nest was ready.
The Curious Book of Birds | Abbie Farwell Brown
As epigrams well enough, Mr. talon; but perhaps the simple truth is, that I do not love her ladyship.
The Harlequinade | Dion Clayton Calthrop

British Dictionary definitions for talon

talon

/ (ˈtælən) /

noun

a sharply hooked claw, esp of a bird of prey
anything resembling a bird's claw

the part of a lock that the key presses on when it is turned
cards the pile of cards left after the deal
architect another name for ogee
stock exchange a printed slip attached to some bearer bonds to enable the holder to apply for a new sheet of coupons

Origin of talon

C14: from Old French: heel, from Latin tālus heel

Derived forms of talon

taloned, adjective

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

Scientific definitions for talon

talon

[ tăl′ən ]

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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