lammervanger, noun
- Forms:
- Also laemer-vanger.
- Plurals:
- lammervangers, or unchanged.
- Origin:
- South African Dutch, DutchShow more South African Dutch, from Dutch lam, lammer lamb + vanger catcher; so named because reputed to feed on young lambs.
Any of several large raptors of the Accipitridae, especially the martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus, the tawny eagle or golden eagle, Aquila rapax, and the bearded vulture or lammergeyer, Gypaetys barbatus. Formerly also (rare) lammetjievanger/ˈlaməki-/ [see -ie], or lamvanger/ˈlam-/. Also attributive.
1830 S. Afr. Quarterly Jrnl Jan.–Apr. 105Gypaetys Barbatus, Cuv. — Arend and Lammervanger of the Colonists.
1975 Daily Dispatch 10 Apr. 8Suddenly a lammervanger, or martial eagle, swooped down and picked up a baby baboon in its talons.
Any of several large raptors of the Accipitridae, especially the martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus, the tawny eagle or golden eagle, Aquila rapax, and the bearded vulture or lammergeyer, Gypaetys barbatus. Formerly also (rare) lammetjievanger/ˈlaməki-/ [see -ie], or lamvanger/ˈlam-/. Also attributive.