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albatross definition

al·ba·tross (al′bə trôs′, -träs′)

noun pl. albatrosses -·tross′·es or albatross -·tross′

  1. any of a family (Diomedeidae) of large, web-footed tubenose birds found chiefly in the South Seas: they have long, narrow wings and a long, hooked beak

  2. Etymology: from the bird used as a symbol of guilt in a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

    a burden or source of distress, esp. one that impairs effective action: often in the phrase an albatross around one's neck

Etymology: altered, prob. infl. by albus, white < Sp alcatraz, lit., pelican < Port, pelican, orig., bucket < Ar al qādūs, water-wheel basket, scoop < Gr kados, cask, jar; prob. < Heb kad, water jug

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

albatross Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • save: Save the albatross - we look at the campaign to save these most wonderful of seabirds.

Adjective modifier

  • grey-headed: The study is reported in the journal Science, and outlines, for the first time, the year-round habitat of the grey-headed albatross.

Modifies a noun

  • chick: These days one is not allowed to savor albatross chick or penguin to build up your strength for the crossing.

Noun used with modifier

  • wiseacre: Along for the ride is his randy wiseacre albatross companion, Kir, who is constantly getting the pair into difficulties.
albatross usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

albatross quotes

'God save thee, ancient Mariner! From the fiends that plague thee thus! Why look'st thou so?'öWith my cross-bow I shot the Albatross.

-Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

albatross quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"albatross." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/albatross>

APA Style

albatross. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/albatross

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