Osprey

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈɑspɹi/
• UK IPA: /ˈɒspɹeɪ/

Origin

From Late Middle English ospray from Latin ossifragus ("bone-breaker").

Full definition of osprey

Noun

1. A bird of prey (Pandion haliaetus) that feeds on fish and has white underparts and long, narrow wings each ending in four finger-like extensions.
• 1594, I will provide thee of a princely osprey. — Peele, Battle of Alcazar
• c. 1612-13: But (oh Jove!) your actions,
  Soon as they move, as ospreys do the fish,
  Subdue before they touch. — Shakespeare, Fletcher, Two Noble Kinsmen
2. aigrette (ornamental feather)

Synonyms

• fish eagle (a misnomer as the osprey is not an eagle, but compare some of the translations below)
• fish hawk a misnomer as the osprey is not a hawk
• orfray obsolete, incorrect
• ossifrage (from Latin "bone-breaker")
• osspringer obsolete