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

Example Sentences

Swooping down upon him with sharp talons thrusting out was a large bird covered mainly in white feathers except for its back, which was decidedly black.

From Literature

I try to squirm away from my sister’s grasp, but her fingers sink into my skin like talons.

From Literature

There were four of them for some reason, and the tub was one of those old kinds that had feet shaped like giant bird talons.

From Literature

The tiny talon sparkled like a jewel in the moonlight.

From Literature

But if Christopher set him down, he climbed up his ankle and dug talons into his knee until he was picked up again.

From Literature