osprey

(äs′prē, -prā)

noun pl. ospreys

a large, black-and-white diving bird of prey of a family (Pandionidae) having only one species (Pandion haliaetus): it feeds mainly on fish

Origin: LME ospray, ult. < L ossifraga, osprey, lit., the bone-breaker < os, a bone (see ossify) + frangere, to break

See osprey in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. os·preys

A fish-eating hawk (Pandion haliaetus) having plumage that is dark on the back and white below. Also called fish hawk.
A plume formerly used to trim women's hats.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English osprai

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman ospreit

Origin: , from Medieval Latin avis praedae, bird of prey

Origin: : Latin avis, bird; see awi- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + Latin praedae

Origin: , genitive of praeda, booty, prey; see ghend- in Indo-European roots

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