adhamant
adjective
ad·ha·mant
(ˈ)ad-¦hā-mənt
: clinging as if by hooks —used especially of the feet of certain birds (as the swifts)
Word History
Etymology
Latin adhamant-, adhamans, present participle of adhamare to catch, secure, perhaps from ad- + hamus hook
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above