Albatross
/ˈæl.bə.trɔːs/noun
A large seabird known for its long wingspan and ability to glide over the ocean for hours.
Did you know?In literature, the albatross symbolizes the burden of guilt, originating from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem where it becomes a curse for a mariner's crime.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
albatrossus
“a large seabird, likely derived from the Arabic for 'the diver'.”
Arabic
Arabic
العبترس
“referring to a seabird, possibly connected to its diving ability.”
15th Century
Spanish
alcatraz
“a term used for a seabird, which later influenced the Latin form.”
17th Century
English
albatross
“adopted from earlier forms, now referring to the distinctive, large seabird.”