eaglet

UK: ˈiːɡlɪt | US: ˈiːɡlɪt

Definition

  1. n. a young eagle

Structure
eagle <large bird of prey>et <diminutive suffix>
Etymology

eaglet = eagle<large bird of prey> + et<diminutive suffix>

  • eagle: From Old French aigle, derived from Latin aquila (eagle).
  • et: A diminutive suffix of French origin, often used to indicate smallness or youth (e.g., cigarette from cigar + ette).

Etymology Origin:
The word eaglet combines eagle, a term for a powerful bird of prey, with the diminutive suffix -et (or -ette), signaling a smaller or younger version. This follows a common pattern in English where French-derived suffixes modify nouns to denote diminutives. The logic is straightforward: eagle + -et = "little eagle."

Examples

  1. The eaglet perched nervously on the edge of the nest.

  2. Biologists observed the eaglet’s first attempts at flight.

  3. The mother eagle brought food to her hungry eaglet.

  4. A rescued eaglet was rehabilitated and released into the wild.

  5. The documentary highlighted an eaglet’s growth over six months.