albatross
Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern…Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
» That's an albatross off my neck.
Meaning
4 sensesAny of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
Albatros
альбатро́сalʹbatrós
альбатро́сalʹbatrós
large web-footed birds of the Southern Hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight
Any of various African and Asian pierid butterflies of the genus Appias. Some species of this genus are also known as puffins.
A double eagle, or three under par on any one hole, except a par 3 hole.
Albatros
(figuratively)A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.
2006 March 13, Richard Lugar, speech to the Brookings Institution, […] energy is the albatross of U.S. national security.
Examples
12 sentencesThat's an albatross off my neck.
The albatross disappeared from view for a moment.
The albatross appeared to be stationary in the air.
The albatross was harnessing the power for the storm.
Ziri admired the freeness of the albatross in the sky.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), prUncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs), from Ancient Greek κάδος (kádos, “pail, jar”), in reference to the pouch of a pelican. In either case, altered under the influence of Latin albus (“white”). Not derived from modern Arabic قَطْرَس (qaṭras, “albatross”), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish.
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