talon

[ tal-uhn ]

noun

1. a claw, especially of a bird of prey.
2. the shoulder on the bolt of a lock against which the key presses in sliding the bolt.
3. Cards. the cards left over after the deal; stock.

talon

/ ˈtælən /

noun

1. a sharply hooked claw, esp of a bird of prey
2. anything resembling a bird's claw
3. the part of a lock that the key presses on when it is turned
4. cards the pile of cards left after the deal
5. architect another name for ogee
6. stock exchange a printed slip attached to some bearer bonds to enable the holder to apply for a new sheet of coupons

talon

/ tăl′ən /

1. One of the sharp, curved claws on a limb of a bird or other animal such as a lizard, used for seizing and tearing prey. Most talons are situated at the ends of digits.

Derived Forms

• ˈtaloned, adjective

Other Words From

• taloned adjective
• un·taloned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of talon¹

1350–1400; Middle English taloun < Anglo-French; Old French talon < Vulgar Latin *tālōn-, stem of *tālō, for Latin tālus heel

Word History and Origins

Origin of talon¹

C14: from Old French: heel, from Latin tālus heel

Example Sentences

The Haast’s eagle is known to have consumed another extinct Pacific bird, the moa, based on preserved bones scarred by talons.

From Popular-Science

They found that the harpagornis’s beak and talons were more eagle-like in nature and able to withstand high amounts of pressure, leading them to believe that it was in fact a predator.

From Popular-Science

A chicken Amigo named Chicharrón is also present in Far Cry 6, and possesses the ability to attack foes with large talons.

From TechCrunch

The Black Talon is a jacketed hollow-point bullet with perforations designed to expand following impact with soft tissue.

From The Daily Beast

Whom should we blame for the Black Talon ammunition that ripped through her?

From The Daily Beast

With his talon-like hands he began clawing at the sick man, who was twisting and tossing on his couch, as though with convulsions.

From Project Gutenberg

No sooner had Don Luis entered the hall than a hand, or rather a talon, seized him by the right arm.

From Project Gutenberg

I told them that if we only gave you a chance you would be a perfect talon rouge.

From Project Gutenberg

All night he labored, beak and talon, until the nest was ready.

From Project Gutenberg

As epigrams well enough, Mr. Talon; but perhaps the simple truth is, that I do not love her ladyship.

From Project Gutenberg