Definition of "ossifrage" in English

noun

1. (archaic) Gypaetus barbatus, the bearded vulture, the diet of which is almost exclusively bone marrow.

   • Calcareous lies, slate, and trap are still to be found there, rising from layers of conglomerate, like teeth from a gum; but the pickaxe has broken up and leveled those bristling, rugged peaks which were once the fearful perches of the ossifrage.

2. (obsolete) The young of the sea eagle or bald eagle.

3. (British) The osprey.

   • And we were just about To turn and face the foe, as some tire bird Barbarians pelt at, drive with shouts away From shelter in what rocks, however rude, She makes for, to escape the kindled eye, Split beak, crook'd claw o' the creature, cormorant Or ossifrage, that, hardly baffled, hangs Afloat i' the foam, to take her if she turn.