from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Owl \Owl\ (oul), n. [AS. [=u]le; akin to D. uil, OHG. [=u]wila,
G. eule, Icel. ugla, Sw. ugla, Dan. ugle.]
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1. (Zool.) Any species of raptorial birds of the family
{Strigidae}. They have large eyes and ears, and a
conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye. They are
mostly nocturnal in their habits.
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Note: Some species have erectile tufts of feathers on the
head. The feathers are soft and somewhat downy. The
species are numerous. See {Barn owl}, {Burrowing owl},
{Eared owl}, {Hawk owl}, {Horned owl}, {Screech owl},
{Snowy owl}, under {Barn}, {Burrowing}, etc.
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Note: In the Scriptures the owl is commonly associated with
desolation; poets and story-tellers introduce it as a
bird of ill omen. . . . The Greeks and Romans made it
the emblem of wisdom, and sacred to Minerva, -- and
indeed its large head and solemn eyes give it an air of
wisdom. --Am. Cyc.
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2. (Zool.) A variety of the domestic pigeon.
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{Owl monkey} (Zool.), any one of several species of South
American nocturnal monkeys of the genus {Nyctipithecus}.
They have very large eyes. Called also {durukuli}.
{Owl moth} (Zool.), a very large moth ({Erebus strix}). The
expanse of its wings is over ten inches.
{Owl parrot} (Zool.), the kakapo.
{Sea owl} (Zool.), the lumpfish.
{Owl train}, a cant name for certain railway trains whose run
is in the nighttime.
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