Albatross Meaning: Definition and Examples

Literature

• The term 'albatross' is famously used in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', symbolizing guilt and burdens.
• In modern contexts, 'an albatross around one's neck' refers to a heavy burden or a source of anxiety.
• Albatrosses are often depicted as symbols of adventure due to their long flights over oceans.

Biology

• Albatrosses have the largest wingspan of any bird, reaching up to 12 feet, aiding them in gliding over vast ocean distances.
• They can use a technique called dynamic soaring, which lets them harness the wind to travel efficiently over the water.
• This bird's feeding habits include a diet of squid and fish, showcasing their adaptation to a life at sea.

Cultural Significance

• Albatrosses are considered good omens in some cultures, as their appearance can indicate good weather for sailors.
• In various maritime traditions, killing an albatross was seen as bad luck, a belief stemming from Coleridge's poem.
• In modern slang, the phrase 'an albatross' is used to denote an impediment, much like the message conveyed in old tales.

Conservation

• Many albatross species are threatened due to fishing bycatch, habitat destruction, and climate change.
• Organizations work on conservation efforts to protect their habitats and reduce bycatch in fishing practices.
• Albatrosses demonstrate long-term monogamous relationships, which adds to the challenges of their conservation, as their breeding habits are affected by changing environments.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'albatross' comes from the Spanish 'albatros', which originally referred to a type of large seabird.
• It is believed the term has Arabic roots, with 'al-gattas' meaning 'the seabird' suggesting a long history in language.
• The use of the word in English became popular in the 19th century, particularly after the publication of Coleridge's poem.

The term 'albatross' comes from the Spanish word 'albatros,' which is a derivative of the Arabic 'al-ghattas.' The word has been in use in English since the early 19th century, particularly influenced by the writings of sea explorers and poets. Albatrosses are closely associated with maritime culture and literature, notably in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,' where the bird is depicted as a symbol of burden and guilt. Over time, the albatross has come to represent the idea of a persistent problem or obstacle, often referred to in the phrase 'an albatross around one's neck.'

At rank #29,049, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 29046 hankering
• 29047 nuclide
• 29048 urinal
• 29049 albatross
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• 29052 disbarred
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