Albatross
Large soaring seabird
An albatross is a large seabird with exceptionally long wings, capable of gliding vast distances over open ocean.
Figuratively, an albatross is a persistent burden or source of guilt that weighs someone down: The failed investment became an albatross around his neck.
This sense comes from Coleridge's poem in which a sailor must wear a dead albatross as penance.
English Romantic verse-maker
- marinerOne who navigates ships
- crossbowStock-mounted bow mechanism
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
omen · sailor · curse · necklace · hung · guilt · supernatural · ballad
Grain-crushing circular stone
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- curseInvoked harm through words
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
encumbrance · handicap · obstacle · cross · yoke · affliction · onus · impediment
Tip-to-tip extent
- soaringRising effortlessly upward
- glidingEngineless aerial movement
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- wanderingTraveling with no fixed course
nesting · colony · Midway · plumage · pelagic · Southern Ocean · fledgling · breeding
Coleridge
English Romantic verse-maker
- marinerOne who navigates ships
- crossbowStock-mounted bow mechanism
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
superstition · omen · sailor · curse · necklace · hung · guilt · supernatural · ballad · redemption
millstone
Grain-crushing circular stone
liability · encumbrance · handicap · obstacle · cross · yoke · affliction · onus · impediment · baggage
wingspan
Tip-to-tip extent
wandering · nesting · colony · Midway · plumage · pelagic · Southern Ocean · fledgling · breeding · migration
rare
Seldom found or seen
hole · par · achievement · stroke · course · PGA · tournament · feat · exceptional · score
- de HavillandComet, Trident, Venom, Heron, Flamingo
- Bird namesRobin, Sparrow, Wren, Dove, Falcon
- seaplanesseaplanes, floatplane, floatplanes, flying boat, flying boats
- Aviation HistoryWright Brothers, Wright Flyer, Wright brothers, Kitty Hawk, first flight
- South IslandChristchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, Nelson, Alexandra
Albatrosshummingbird
Small nectar-feeding hoverer
wren · sparrow · finch · chickadee · flightless bird
Albatrossblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
boon · gift · lucky charm · talisman · windfall
Albatrosslandlubber
Non-seafaring person
roadrunner · woodland bird · forest dweller · canary · parakeet
- albatross around one's neckPersistent source of guilt
- albatross round one's neckPersistent psychological burden