talon
noun
tal·on ˈta-lən 
1
a
: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey
b
: a finger or hand of a human being
2
: a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: such as
a
: an ogee molding
b
: the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt
3
a
: cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire
b
: stock sense 5c
taloned
ˈta-lənd
adjective 
Example Sentences
The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons.
Recent Examples on the Web In Season 2, darkness descends upon Chucalissa, causing everyone to fight tooth and talon to get ahead or maintain their spot. 
Rivea Ruff, Essence, 2 June 2022 The eaglet was inadvertently knocked from its nest overlooking Two Harbors on Monday after one of its parents went to take flight and kicked the chick with its talon, prompting the eaglet to fall several feet down the cliff, according to video. Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2022 Of course, the issue here isn’t your talon piercing. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2018 She was buried in Arma Veirana Cave in Italy 10,000 years ago with an eagle-owl talon, four shell pendants, and more than 60 shell beads with patterns of wear indicating that adults had clearly worn them for a long time beforehand. Briana Pobiner And Ryan Mcrae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021 An eagle-owl talon that may have been a gift was discovered nearby. Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2021 The remains of an infant known as Neve were found in the back of a cave adorned with 60 shell beads, four pendants and an eagle-owl talon. Rachel Elbaum, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2021 Whereas most mass faux nails are available in one length and shape (talon-like), Olive & June is ushering an ear of bespoke press-ons that fit every mani mood. Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 3 Nov. 2021 The hundreds of thousands of acrylic nails used for the structure vary in size, from tiny toenail length to rectangular talon. New York Times, 26 Oct. 2021 See More
Rivea Ruff, Essence, 2 June 2022 The eaglet was inadvertently knocked from its nest overlooking Two Harbors on Monday after one of its parents went to take flight and kicked the chick with its talon, prompting the eaglet to fall several feet down the cliff, according to video. Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2022 Of course, the issue here isn’t your talon piercing. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2018 She was buried in Arma Veirana Cave in Italy 10,000 years ago with an eagle-owl talon, four shell pendants, and more than 60 shell beads with patterns of wear indicating that adults had clearly worn them for a long time beforehand. Briana Pobiner And Ryan Mcrae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021 An eagle-owl talon that may have been a gift was discovered nearby. Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2021 The remains of an infant known as Neve were found in the back of a cave adorned with 60 shell beads, four pendants and an eagle-owl talon. Rachel Elbaum, NBC News, 14 Dec. 2021 Whereas most mass faux nails are available in one length and shape (talon-like), Olive & June is ushering an ear of bespoke press-ons that fit every mani mood. Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, 3 Nov. 2021 The hundreds of thousands of acrylic nails used for the structure vary in size, from tiny toenail length to rectangular talon. New York Times, 26 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
talon
noun
tal·on ˈta-lən
: the claw of a bird of prey
Medical Definition
talon
noun
tal·on ˈtal-ən
: the crushing region of the crown of an upper molar