osprey
A bird of prey of genus Pandion that feeds on fish and has white underparts and long,…A bird of prey of genus Pandion that feeds on fish and has white underparts and long, narrow wings each ending in four finger-like extensions.
» An osprey can completely submerge itself when it dives after a fish.
Meaning
2 sensesA bird of prey of genus Pandion that feeds on fish and has white underparts and long, narrow wings each ending in four finger-like extensions.
1594, George Peele (attributed), The Battle of Alcazar I will provide thee of a princely osprey.
Fischadler
скопа́skopá
Aigrette (ornamental feather).
- large harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years
Examples
3 sentencesAn osprey can completely submerge itself when it dives after a fish.
Ospreys often mate for life, though instances of polyandry have been observed.
Ospreys can dive full speed into water, surface just moments later, and then immediately take flight.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Late Middle English ospray, from Anglo-Norman ospriet, from Medieval Latin avis praedFrom Late Middle English ospray, from Anglo-Norman ospriet, from Medieval Latin avis praedae (“bird of prey”), a generic term apparently confused with this specific bird in Old French on its similarity to ossifrage.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: ospreysSynonyms
7 synonyms- large harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years:fish hawkfish eaglesea eaglePandion haliaetus