albatross

Meaning

1. 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.
2. Any of various African and Asian pierid butterflies of the genus Appias. Some species of this genus are also known as puffins.
3. A double eagle, or three under par on any one hole, except a par 3 hole.
4. (figuratively) A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.

Synonyms

mollymawk

millstone

mallemuck

jinx

seabird

double eagle

Translations

albatros

albatros

Albatros

albatros

albatro

albatroz

albatros

albatros

άλμπατρος

albatros

قطرس

αλμπατρός

القَطْرَس

Albatrosse

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/

Etymology

Cognate with Arabic: قَطْرَس

In summary

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.