Link Centre Dictionary

albatross

al·bat·ross

UK/ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/ US/ˈæl.bəˌtɹɔs/ uncommon

noun

1.

(figurative) something that hinders or handicaps

  • “she was an albatross around his neck”
Synonyms
2.

Origin

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.

Phrases

  • albatross around one's neck
  • Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross
  • black-browed albatross
  • Campbell albatross
  • great albatross
  • Laysan albatross
  • royal albatross
  • snowy albatross

Related words

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.