albatross
Translation
albatross, burden, encumbrance
Examples
The albatross has a huge wingspan.
The albatross has a huge wingspan.
His past mistake is an albatross around his neck.
His past mistake is an albatross around his neck.
Grammar Patterns
((an albatross)) a large seabird The albatross has a huge wingspan.
((an albatross around one's neck)) a burden from the past His past mistake is an albatross around his neck.
Similar Words
Synonyms (bird): seabird; Synonyms (burden): burden, millstone, encumbrance
Etymology
From Arabic 'al-qādūs' (a water-carrying bird, pelican) via Portuguese 'alcatraz'. The 'b' was influenced by Latin 'albus' (white).
Memory Tips
Picture a large, white ('albus') bird. The metaphorical sense comes from the poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', where the sailor must wear the albatross he killed around his neck.