vulture

views updated May 14 2018

vul·ture / ˈvəlchər/ • n. 1. a large bird of prey (order Accipitriformes) with the head and neck more or less bare of feathers, feeding chiefly on carrion. They are classified as Old World vultures (family Accipitridae) and New World vultures (family Cathartidae). 2. a contemptible person who preys on or exploits others.DERIVATIVES: vul·tur·ine / -ˌrīn/ adj.vul·tur·ish adj.vul·tur·ous / -ch(ə)rəs/ adj.

vultures

views updated Jun 27 2018

vultures
1. See FALCONIFORMES
.
2. (New World vultures) See CATHARTIDAE
.
3. (Old World vultures, palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis) See ACCIPITRIDAE

4. See TERATORNIS INCREDIBILIS.

vulture

views updated May 29 2018

vulture Large, keen-sighted, strong-flying bird that feeds on carrion. New World vultures, found throughout the Americas, include the condor, turkey buzzard, and king vulture; family Cathartidae. Old World vultures, related to eagles, are found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and include the Egyptian vulture and the griffon vulture; family Accipitridae.

vulture

views updated Jun 08 2018

vulture a large bird of prey, feeding chiefly on carrion and reputed to gather with others in anticipation of the death of a sick or injured animal or person; a contemptible person who preys on or exploits others.

Vulture may also be used allusively for something that preys on one's mind, such as a consuming or torturing passion, especially with reference to the punishment inflicted on Tityus.

See also culture vulture.

Vulture

views updated May 21 2018

Vulture ★ 1967

In an attempt to carry out a curse on the descendants of the man who killed his forefather, a scientist tries an atomic transmutation experiment and winds up combining himself with a bird. 91m/C VHS . Robert Hutton, Akim Tamiroff, Broderick Crawford, Diane Clare, Philip Friend, Patrick Holt, Annette Carell; D: Lawrence Huntington.

vulture

views updated May 21 2018

vulture XIV. — AN. vultur, OF. voltour (mod. vautour):- L. vulturius, f. vultur, voltur.
So vulturine XVII. — L.

Vulture Peak

views updated May 17 2018

Vulture Peak (mythical mountain): see NICHIREN.