talons
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/ˈtælənz/
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Sharp predator claws, with specialized uses for clawlike device parts, undealt card stocks, ogee mouldings, and historical bond renewal slips.
Examples
The archive keeps several bearer bonds with their talons still attached.
The clamp's talons bit into the pipe just enough to hold it steady.
The old lock has two small talons on the bolt where the key applies pressure.
The museum case showed railway bonds, coupons, and talons from the nineteenth century.
The rules divide the leftover cards into two face-down talons.
Similar words
renewal slips
kitties
stocks
mouldings
bond talons
curves
hooks
clamps
widows
nails
Meanings
Examples
The hawk dropped from the sky and seized the rabbit with its talons.
An owl's talons are built for gripping prey in the dark.
The eagle's talons curled around the branch.
A lizard's talons scraped lightly against the bark.
The handler checked that the falcon's talons were clean and healthy.
Similar words
claws
hooks
pincers
nails
spurs
clutches
Examples
The old lock has two small talons on the bolt where the key applies pressure.
The rescue tool closed its steel talons around the beam.
A technician replaced the worn talons in the gripping head.
The clamp's talons bit into the pipe just enough to hold it steady.
The display showed how the machine's talons lifted the crate.
Similar words
hooks
claws
grippers
jaws
catches
clamps
Examples
The rules divide the leftover cards into two face-down talons.
Players may exchange cards with the talons before the final round.
In that tarock variant, the talons are revealed only after bidding.
The dealer placed the talons in the centre of the table.
Misplaying the talons can change the whole strategy of the hand.
Similar words
stocks
widows
blinds
kitties
skats
draw piles
Examples
The cabinetmaker cut matching talons for the crown moulding.
The drawing labels the reversed talons along the cornice.
Restorers copied the original talons in the plasterwork.
French manuals distinguish regular and inverted talons in classical profiles.
The door frame is edged with small talons and bead mouldings.
Similar words
ogees
cyma reversa
mouldings
moldings
profiles
curves
Examples
The archive keeps several bearer bonds with their talons still attached.
Once the coupons ran out, the holder could present the talons for new coupon sheets.
Collectors look for old bonds whose talons were never detached.
The guide explains the difference between coupons and talons on bearer bonds.
The museum case showed railway bonds, coupons, and talons from the nineteenth century.
Similar words
renewal slips
coupon talons
bond talons
attached slips
coupon forms
Etymology
From Middle English talon or taloun, from Old French talon meaning heel or spur, ultimately from Latin talus meaning ankle.
FAQ
Talons are sharp, hooked claws, especially the claws of birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls.
Are talons the same as claws?
Talons are a kind of claw, usually a strong curved one used by a predator to grip or tear.
Long or sharp fingernails may be jokingly called talons, but nails is the plain everyday word.
What do talons mean in card games?
In some card games, talons are undealt stocks of cards set aside for later use.
What are talons in architecture?
In architecture and woodworking, talons can mean ogee-like moulding profiles with concave and convex curves.
What are talons on old bonds?
On old bearer bonds, talons were detachable slips used to obtain a new sheet of coupons after the first coupons were used.
What is the singular of talons?
The singular is talon, as in one eagle talon or one talon attached to a bearer bond.
Where does talons come from?
Talons comes from the singular talon, through Middle English and Old French from a word meaning heel or spur.
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