pygarg
(ˈpaɪgɑːg)
Forms: 4 phigarg, (figarde), 6 pygarge, 7 pygargue, pigarge, 7– pygarg. Also in L. form pygargus (4 pigargus).
[ad. L. pȳgarg-us (Pliny), a. Gr. πῡ́γαργος lit. ‘white-rump’, applied to a kind of antelope, a white-tailed eagle, and a sandpiper; f. πῡγή rump + ἀργός white.]
1. A kind of antelope mentioned by Herodotus and Pliny: by some supposed to be the addax.
In the LXX and Vulgate, whence in Wyclif, Douay, and Bible of 1611, used to render Heb. dīshōn.
| 1382 Wyclif Deut. xiv. 5 This is the beest that ȝe owen to eete; oxe, and sheep, and..phigarg [1388, figarde; 1609 (Douay), pygargue; 1611 and R.V., Pygarg]. 1572 J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 56 b, The fielde is Veneris, a Pygarge, of the Sunne. This is an horne beaste, like a Goate bucke, but yet greater, and lesse then the Harte. 1706 Phillips (ed. 6), Pygargus, a wild Beast like a Fallow Deer, so call'd because its back Parts are white. |
2. (In L. form.) The osprey or sea-eagle.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. lxxxv. (Bodl. MS.) 282/2 Hugucione seiþ þat pigargus is a litel lowe brid. 1587 Harrison England iii. v. (1878) ii. 32 Of hawkes and rauenous foules... Neither haue we the pygargus or gripe. 1752 Sir J. Hill Hist. Anim. 331 The pygargus, the falco..with the tailfeathers white and black at the end. |