osprey

From Late Middle English ospray, from Anglo-Norman ospriet, from Medieval Latin avis prede (“bird of prey”), a generic term apparently confused with this specific bird in Old French on its similarity to ossifrage.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑspɹi/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɒspɹeɪ/

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osprey (plural ospreys)

1. A bird of prey (Pandion haliaetus) that feeds on fish and has white underparts and long, narrow wings each ending in four finger-like extensions.
   • 1594, I will provide thee of a princely osprey. — Peele, Battle of Alcazar
   • c. 1612-13: But (oh Jove!) your actions, / Soon as they move, as ospreys do the fish, / Subdue before they touch. — Shakespeare, Fletcher, Two Noble Kinsmen
2. aigrette (ornamental feather)

• fish eagle (a misnomer as the osprey is not an eagle, but compare some of the translations below)
• fish hawk (a misnomer as the osprey is not a hawk)
• orfray (obsolete, incorrect)
• ossifrage (from Latin "bone-breaker")
• osspringer (obsolete)

• Poyers