albatross
nounUK /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/ · US /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɔs/
Etymology Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs), from Ancient Greek κάδος (kádos, “pail, jar”), in reference to the pouch of a pelican. In either case, altered under the influence of Latin albus (“white”). Not derived from modern Arabic قَطْرَس (qaṭras, “albatross”), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish. For sense development of "burden", see albatross around one’s neck.
Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
Any of various African and Asian pierid butterflies of the genus Appias. Some species of this genus are also known as puffins.
Figuratively A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.
- 2006 March 13, Richard Lugar, speech to the Brookings Institution, […] energy is the albatross of U.S. national security.
- Project 2025 could be an albatross for Trump2024 August 9, Tia Yang, Nathaniel Rakich, Mary Radcliffe, Cooper Burton, “Americans don't like Project 2025”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 10 Aug 2024:
- Synonyms
- gooney bird, gooney, goonie, mollymawk
- Derived terms
- albatross around one's neck, Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, black-browed albatross, Campbell albatross, great albatross, Laysan albatross, royal albatross, snowy albatross, sooty albatross, wandering albatross