Vulture
/ˈvʌltʃər/noun
A large bird of prey or scavenger that feeds mainly on carrion.
Did you know?English vulture comes through Old French and Latin from a root tied to tearing or plucking, which is why the bird’s name is historically linked to feeding on flesh rather than any mystical omen.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to tear, pluck, or pull”
Latin
Latin
vultur
“a vulture”
Old French
OF
voutour
“a vulture”
Middle English
English
vultour
“a vulture”
Modern English
English
vulture
“a large bird that feeds on carrion”