ossifrage

[ os-uh-frij ]

noun

1. the lammergeier.
2. Archaic. the osprey.

ossifrage

/ -ˌfreɪdʒ; ˈɒsɪfrɪdʒ /

noun

1. an archaic name for lammergeier osprey

Word History and Origins

Origin of ossifrage¹

1595–1605; < Latin ossifraga sea eagle, literally, bone-breaker (noun use of feminine of ossifragus bone-breaking), equivalent to ossi- (combining form of os ) bone + frag-, variant stem of frangere to break + -a nominative singular feminine noun and adj. ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of ossifrage¹

C17: from Latin ossifraga sea eagle; see osprey

Example Sentences

Haunt him and harry, ossifrage and osprey!

From Project Gutenberg

The word is said to be a corruption of Ossifrage, the "bone-breaker."

From Project Gutenberg

Pliny, the extremity of the intestine of the ossifrage, if worn as an amulet, is well known to be an excellent remedy for colic.

From Project Gutenberg

The ossifrage is a species of eagle.

From Project Gutenberg

Calcareous lias, slate, and trap are still to be found there, rising from layers of conglomerate, like teeth from a gum; but the pickaxe has broken up and levelled those bristling, rugged peaks which were once the fearful perches of the ossifrage.

From Project Gutenberg