n.
Pronunciation: ' ta-l ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone
Date: 15th century
1 a : the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey b : a finger or hand of a human being
2 : a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: as a : an ogee molding b : the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt
3 a : cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire b : STOCK 10C
– tal · oned \ -l ə nd \ adjective