ˈtalən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, heel, spur, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin talon-, talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone, heel
1.
a. obsolete : the hinder part of a hoof
b. : the claw of an animal ; especially : the claw of a bird of prey — usually used in plural
the hawk seizes its prey in its sharp talons
c. : a finger of the human hand
led … around the contorted wrist to a sinewy talon that had been a thumb — Earle Birney
2. : a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: as
a. : an ogee molding — see inverted talon
b. : the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt
c. : the crushing region of the crown of an upper molar posterior to the trigon — compare trituberculy
3.
a. : cards laid aside in a pile in a game of solitaire that may or may not be used again in the game
b. : stock 17a
4. : a certificate attached to various bonds and exchangeable for an extra set of coupons