lammergeir

2 definitions found

lammergeir - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Griffin \Grif"fin\, Griffon \Grif"fon\, n. [OE. griffin,
     griffon, griffoun, F. griffon, fr. L. gryphus, equiv to
     gryps, Gr. ?; -- so called because of the hooked beak, and
     akin to grypo`s curved, hook-nosed.]
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     1. (Myth.) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It
        is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art.
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     2. (Her.) A representation of this creature as an heraldic
        charge.
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     3. (Zool.) A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found
        in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa,
        and Asia Minor; -- called also gripe, and grype. It is
        supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible. The bearded  griffin
         is the lammergeir. [Written also gryphon.]
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     4. An English early apple.
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  Lammergeir \Lam"mer*geir\ (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]r), Lammergeier
  \Lam"mer*gei`er\, lammergeyer \lam"mer*gey`er\
     (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]`[~e]r), n. [G. l[aum]mmergeier; lamm,
     pl. l[aum]mmer, lamb + geier vulture.] (Zool.)
     A very large vulture (Gypa["e]tus barbatus), which inhabits
     the mountains of Southern Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
     When full-grown it is nine or ten feet in extent of wings. It
     is brownish black above, with the under parts and neck rusty
     yellow; the forehead and crown white; the sides of the head
     and beard black. It feeds partly on carrion and partly on
     small animals, which it kills. It has the habit of carrying
     tortoises and marrow bones to a great height, and dropping
     them on stones to obtain the contents, and is therefore
     called bonebreaker and ossifrage. It is supposed to be
     the ossifrage of the Bible. Called also bearded vulture
     and bearded eagle.
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