Search Result for "lammergeir": 

The 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.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Myth.) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art. [1913 Webster] 2. (Her.) A representation of this creature as an heraldic charge. [1913 Webster] 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.] [1913 Webster] 4. An English early apple. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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. [1913 Webster]