vulture

[vuhl-cher]

noun

1. any of several large, primarily carrion-eating Old World birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, often having a naked head and less powerful feet than those of the related hawks and eagles.

2. any of several superficially similar New World birds of the family Cathartidae, as the turkey vulture.

3. a person or thing that preys, especially greedily or unscrupulously.

   That vulture would sell out his best friend.

vulture

/ ˈvʌltʃə /

noun

1. any of various very large diurnal birds of prey of the genera Neophron, Gyps, Gypaetus, etc, of Africa, Asia, and warm parts of Europe, typically having broad wings and soaring flight and feeding on carrion: family Accipitridae (hawks) See also griffon 1 lammergeier

2. any similar bird of the family Cathartidae of North, Central, and South America See also condor turkey buzzard

3. a person or thing that preys greedily and ruthlessly on others, esp the helpless

Other Word Forms

• vulturelike adjective
• vulture-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulture¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin vultur

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulture¹

C14: from Old French voltour, from Latin vultur; perhaps related to Latin vellere to pluck, tear

Example Sentences

The sky above was thick with storm clouds, and a vulture swooped overhead.

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Like all these other capitalist vultures, OpenAI’s plans wouldn’t just be exploiting lonely men, but would actively be making the problem worse.

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“The vultures are out there swarming,” Michelson said, referring to developers and investors looking to turn a profit following the devastation.

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And then a flock of vultures flew past.

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Back on the island, Brightbill had practiced flying like hawks and owls and sparrows and vultures.

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