n. 1 any nocturnal bird of prey of the order Strigiformes, with large eyes and a hooked beak, including barn owls, tawny owls, etc. 2 colloq. a person compared to an owl, esp. in looking solemn or wise. owl-light dusk, twilight. owl-monkey (pl. -eys) a douroucouli. owlery n. (pl. -ies). owlish adj. owlishly adv. owlishness n. (in sense 2). owl-like adj.
[ OE ule f. Gmc ]