talon

[tal-uhn]

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.

talon

/ 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

talon

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.

Other Word Forms

• taloned adjective
• untaloned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of talon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of talon¹

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

Example Sentences

And the deeper you go into the store, the more the store begins to dig its talons into you.

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“One usually turns upside down, so they meet talon to talon,” Taylor said.

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On their right, the nails are like talons, sharpened to a menacing point.

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Thirty-three spectators at the cockfight were detained and about 250 roosters were discovered, along with a fighting ring, a scoreboard and steel talons, according to officials.

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Twelve months later, the match ball arrived in the talons of an eagle.

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