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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Owl

/(oul)/ · IPA /aʊ(ə)l/
01 n. Any species of raptorial birds of the family Strigidae. They have large eyes and ears, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each ey…
  1. 1.
    Any species of raptorial birds of the family Strigidae. They have large eyes and ears, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits.(Zool.)
  2. 2.
    A variety of the domestic pigeon.(Zool.)
Phrases & compounds
Owl monkey — any one of several species of South American nocturnal monkeys of the genus Nyctipithecus. They have very large eyes. Called also durukuli.
Owl moth — a very large moth (Erebus strix). The expanse of its wings is over ten inches.
Owl parrot — the kakapo.
Sea owl — the lumpfish.
Owl train — a cant name for certain railway trains whose run is in the nighttime.
02 v. i. To pry about; to prowl.
imp. & p. p. Owled; p. pr. & vb. n. Owling
  1. 1.
    To pry about; to prowl.[Prov. Eng.]
  2. 2.
    To carry wool or sheep out of England.[Obs.]
  3. 3.
    Hence, to carry on any contraband trade.[Eng.]