talon

Everyday

1. A talon is a long, sharp, curved claw on the foot of a bird of prey, like an eagle, owl or hawk. tree →
2. In stories, talons can be any sharp claws or long fingernails that look frightening. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, talons are an adaptation of predators: an owl or eagle grips and kills prey with its talons and tears food with its hooked beak. In stories, a monster or witch might have «talons» to sound scary. Phrases: «sharp talons», «gripped in its talons», «eagle's talons».

Examples

• The eagle grabbed the fish with its talons. tree →
• An owl's talons are very sharp. tree →
• The hawk perched on the falconer's glove, which protected his arm from its talons. tree →
• The dragon's talons scraped across the rock. tree →
• The witch pointed a long, talon-like fingernail at him. tree →
• Ospreys have rough talons to hold slippery fish. tree →
• A hungry Hawk presently spied her, and darting to the spot seized her in his talons. tree →

Note

Plural: «talons». Usually for birds of prey; for cats and dogs say «claws». Say it "TAL-on".