owl
UK[aʊl]US[aʊl]
n
A bird of prey with a large head, large forward-facing eyes, a short hooked beak, and typically a loud call, most active at night.
Etymology
The word "owl" has a long and onomatopoeic heritage in the Germanic languages. It descends from the Old English "ūle," which is related to similar words in other Germanic tongues, such as Old High German "ūwila" and Dutch "uil." These forms are believed to be imitative in origin, echoing the characteristic hooting or ululating call of the bird. The word's journey into Modern English is a direct one, with the spelling and pronunciation simplifying over time from "ūle" to "owl," while retaining its core reference to the nocturnal bird of prey.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old English origin. The modern form "owl" evolved directly from the Old English noun "ūle," which is not productively divisible into smaller meaningful parts in contemporary English.
Examples
The haunting call of an owl echoed through the ancient forest.
In many cultures, the owl is a symbol of wisdom.
We could see the silhouette of a barn owl perched on the fence post.