vultur-, voltur-

(Latin: the tearing (bird), to tear)

Directly related to the vuls- or "pull, tear" family.

vultur
A term usually restricted to the Andean condor.
vulture (s) (noun), vultures (pl)
1. Any of the various large birds of prey of the New World family Cathartidae or of the Old World family Accipitridae, characteristically having dark plumage and a featherless head and neck and generally feeding on carrion.
2. Any of various large diurnal (day) birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion.
3. A large bird of prey with usually dark feathers and broad wings that feeds on carrion; native to: Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
4. A person of a rapacious, predatory, or profiteering nature.
5. A person who attacks in search of booty, and who waits for the chance to exploit someone else when that other person is vulnerable.
6. Etymology: from Anglo-French vultur and Old French voultour, from Latin vultur and earlier voltur, perhaps related to vellere, "to pluck, to tear".

Pointing to a page about extinction of vultures in India The extinction of Indian vultures.


vulturine: vulture
1. Of or pertaining to a vulture or vultures.
2. Characteristic of, like that of, a vulture; rapacious, predatory.

Rapacious refers to the action of taking by force; plundering; greedy; ravenous; subsisting on live prey.

vulturish (adjective), more vulturish, most vulturish
A reference to living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey.
vulturous (adjective), more vulturous, most vulturous
Living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf"; "raptorial birds"; "ravening wolves"; "a vulturine taste for offal".