Adjacent Words

Talon definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

TAL'ON, n.
1. The claw of a fowl.
2. In architecture, a kind of molding, concave at the bottom, and convex at the top. When the concave part is at the top, it is called an inverted talon. It is usually called by workmen an ogee, or O G, and by authors an upright or inverted cymatium.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone Date: 15th century 1. a. the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey b. a finger or hand of a human being 2. a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: as a. an ogee molding b. the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt 3. a. cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire b. stock 10c • taloned adjective

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a claw, esp. of a bird of prey. 2 the cards left after the deal in a card-game. 3 the last part of a dividend-coupon sheet, entitling the holder to a new sheet on presentation. 4 the shoulder of a bolt against which the key presses in shooting it in a lock. 5 an ogee moulding. Derivatives: taloned adj. (also in comb.). Etymology: ME f. OF, = heel, ult. f. L talus: see TALUS(1)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Talon Tal"on, n. [F., heel, spur, LL. talo, fr. L. talus the ankle, heel.] 1. The claw of a predaceous bird or animal, especially the claw of a bird of prey. --Bacon. 2. (Zo["o]l.) One of certain small prominences on the hind part of the face of an elephant's tooth. 3. (Arch.) A kind of molding, concave at the bottom and convex at the top; -- usually called an ogee. Note: When the concave part is at the top, it is called an inverted talon. 4. The shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt. --Knight.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(talons) The talons of a bird of prey are its hooked claws. N-COUNT: usu pl

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Claw (of a bird), nail.