lammergeier Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun the largest Eurasian bird of prey; having black feathers hanging around the bill
Gypaetus barbatus; bearded vulture; lammergeyer.
WordNet
Lam"mer*geir, Lam"mer*gei`er noun
(Also<
- Lammergeir
- Lammergeier
)
Etymology
G.Definitions
(Zoöl.) A very large vulture ( Gypaëtus 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 calledbonebreaker andossifrage . It is supposed to be theossifrage of the Bible. Called alsobearded vulture andbearded eagle .Written also lammergeyer .