eagle

[ ee-guhl ]

noun

1. any of several large, soaring birds of prey belonging to the hawk family Accipitridae, noted for their size, strength, and powers of flight and vision: formerly widespread in North America, eagles are mostly confined to Alaska and a few isolated populations. Compare bald eagle, golden eagle.
2. a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem:

   the Roman eagle.

3. a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.
4. one of a pair of silver insignia in the shape of eagles with outstretched wings worn by a colonel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and by a captain in the U.S. Navy.
5. Eagle, a gold coin of the United States, traded for investment, available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 dollars containing 1/10 to 1 troy ounce of gold, having on its reverse a picture of an eagle: first issued in 1986.
6. a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.
7. Golf. a score of two below par for any single hole.
8. Eagle, Astronomy. the constellation Aquila.
9. Cards.
   1. a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.
   2. a card of a suit so designated.
   3. eagles, the suit itself.

verb (used with object)

, ea·gled, ea·gling.

1. Golf. to make an eagle on (a hole).

eagle

/ ˈiːɡəl /

noun

1. any of various birds of prey of the genera Aquila, Harpia, etc, having large broad wings and strong soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) See also golden eagle harpy eagle sea eagle aquiline
2. a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power

   the Roman eagle

3. a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle
4. golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole
5. a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934
6. the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank

verb

1. golf to score two strokes under par for a hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English egle, from Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus “dark-colored”

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

C14: from Old French aigle, from Old Provençal aigla, from Latin aquila, perhaps from aquilus dark

Example Sentences

By beating incumbent Kevin de León for a City Council seat that stretches from downtown through Boyle Heights and up to Eagle Rock, the 34-year-old sustained the political earthquake she first unleashed in March, when she finished ahead of him and two Latino Assembly members in the primary.

From Los Angeles Times

The other semifinal will match Banning at Eagle Rock.

From Los Angeles Times

Eagle Rock knocked off Garfield 38-12.

From Los Angeles Times

This has been around at least since the 1960s, when former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist was involved in “Operation Eagle Eye,” a Republican voter suppression operation in Arizona.

From Salon

Cleveland at Eagle Rock: The Cavaliers knocked off Bell with a strong defensive performance and balance on offense in the first round.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator