/ aʊl; NAmE / noun
a bird of prey (= a bird that kills other creatures for food) with large round eyes, that hunts at night. Owls are traditionally thought to be wise :
An owl hooted nearby.
—see also barn owl , night owl , tawny owl
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English ūle , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch uil and German Eule , from a base imitative of the bird's call.