Word Study
albany |
albata |
albatrellus |
albatrellus dispansus |
albatrellus ovinus |
albatross
| albe
| albedo
| albee
| albeit
| alben barkley
albatross
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun albatross has 2 senses
- albatross(n = noun.cognition) millstone - (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps; "she was an albatross around his neck" is a kind of balk, baulk, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, hindrance, impediment
- albatross(n = noun.animal) mollymawk - large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight; Array is a kind of oceanic bird, pelagic bird
is a member of diomedeidae, family diomedeidae
has particulars: diomedea exulans, wandering albatross, black-footed albatross, diomedea nigripes, gooney, gooney bird, goonie, goony
CIDE DICTIONARY
albatross, n. [Corrupt. fr. Pg. alcatraz cormorant, albatross, or Sp. alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg. alcatruz, Sp. arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. al-qādus the bucket, fr. Gr. ka`dos, a water vessel. So an Arabic term for pelican is water-carrier, as a bird carrying water in its pouch.].
A web-footed bird, of the genus Diomedea , of which there are several species. They are the largest of sea birds, capable of long-continued flight, and are often seen at great distances from the land. They are found chiefly in the southern hemisphere. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
albatross, n.
1 a any long-winged stout-bodied bird of the family Diomedeidae related to petrels, inhabiting the Pacific and Southern Oceans. b a source of frustration or guilt; an encumbrance.
2 Brit. Golf a score of three strokes under par at any hole.
1 a any long-winged stout-bodied bird of the family Diomedeidae related to petrels, inhabiting the Pacific and Southern Oceans. b a source of frustration or guilt; an encumbrance.
2 Brit. Golf a score of three strokes under par at any hole.
Etymology
alt. (after L albus white) of 17th-c. alcatras, applied to various sea-birds, f. Sp. and Port. alcatraz, var. of Port. alcatruz f. Arab. alkadus the pitcher
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