albatross
Plural: albatross, albatrosses
Noun
- (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
- "she was an albatross around his neck"
- large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight
- Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
- Any of various African and Asian pierid butterflies of the genus Appias. Some species of this genus are also known as puffins.
- A double eagle, or three under par on any one hole, except a par 3 hole.
- A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.
Origin / Etymology
Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs), from Ancient Greek κάδος (kádos, “pail, jar”), in reference to the pouch of a pelican. In either case, altered under the influence of Latin albus (“white”). Not derived from modern Arabic قَطْرَس (qaṭras, “albatross”), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish.
For sense development of "burden", see albatross around one’s neck.
Scrabble Score: 11
albatross: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordalbatross: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
albatross: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary