albatross

Meaning

Noun

• 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 (genus). 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.

Related

Similar words

• gooney bird
• gooney
• goonie
• albatross around one's neck

Origin

• Unknown. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz ("pelican, gannet, albatross"), probably derived from Arabic غَطَّاس ("the diver") (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz ("water wheel bucket"), from Arabic قادوس, from Ancient Greek κάδος ("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 ("albatross"), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish.
• See albatross around one’s neck.