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

In owls, for example, touch centers that typically correspond to face touch are devoted solely to talons.

From Science Daily

A sharp but necessary pivot from scales and talons brings me to Star Wars’ most adorable animals: Ewoks, the sweet, cherubic creatures that populate the forest moon of Endor in “Return of the Jedi.”

From Salon

Lady Macbeth hasn’t yet gotten her talons into her husband.

From Los Angeles Times

No beast of prey could fit into that log, or reach beak, talon, fang, or claw deep enough to get at Abel where he planned to sleep.

From Literature

A parrot with talons like an eagle and the hard head of a cassowary.

From Los Angeles Times