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The Collaborative International Dictionary
inverted talon

Talon \Tal"on\, n. [F., heel, spur, LL. talo, fr. L. talus the ankle, heel.]

  1. The claw of a predaceous bird or animal, especially the claw of a bird of prey.
    --Bacon.

  2. (Zo["o]l.) One of certain small prominences on the hind part of the face of an elephant's tooth.

  3. (Arch.) A kind of molding, concave at the bottom and convex at the top; -- usually called an ogee.

    Note: When the concave part is at the top, it is called an inverted talon.

  4. The shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt.
    --Knight.