albatross Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
    millstone.
    • she was an albatross around his neck
  2. noun large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight
    mollymawk.

WordNet

Al"ba*tross noun
Etymology
Corrupt. fr. Pg. alcatraz cormorant, albatross, or Sp. alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg. alcatruz, Sp. arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. al-qadus 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.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) 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.

Webster 1913