lammergeir



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Griffin \Grif"fin\, Griffon \Grif"fon\, n. [OE. griffin,
   griffon, griffoun, F. griffon, fr. L. gryphus, equiv to
   gryps, Gr. ?; -- so called because of the hooked beak, and
   akin to grypo`s curved, hook-nosed.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. (Myth.) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It
      is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Her.) A representation of this creature as an heraldic
      charge.
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   3. (Zool.) A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus) found
      in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North Africa,
      and Asia Minor; -- called also gripe, and grype. It is
      supposed to be the "eagle" of the Bible. The {bearded
      griffin} is the lammergeir. [Written also gryphon.]
      [1913 Webster]

   4. An English early apple.
      [1913 Webster]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Lammergeir \Lam"mer*geir\ (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]r), Lammergeier
\Lam"mer*gei`er\, lammergeyer \lam"mer*gey`er\
   (l[a^]m"m[~e]r*g[imac]`[~e]r), n. [G. l[aum]mmergeier; lamm,
   pl. l[aum]mmer, lamb + geier vulture.] (Zool.)
   A very large vulture (Gypa["e]tus 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
   called bonebreaker and ossifrage. It is supposed to be
   the ossifrage of the Bible. Called also bearded vulture
   and bearded eagle.
   [1913 Webster]














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