Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Owl \Owl\, n. [AS. [=u]le; akin to D. uil, OHG. [=u]wila, G.
   eule, Icel. ugla, Sw. ugla, Dan. ugle.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of raptorial birds of the family
      {Strigid[ae]}. They have large eyes and ears, and a
      conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye. They are
      mostly nocturnal in their habits.

   Note: Some species have erectile tufts of feathers on the
         head. The feathers are soft and somewhat downy. The
         species are numerous. See {Barn owl}, {Burrowing owl},
         {Eared owl}, {Hawk owl}, {Horned owl}, {Screech owl},
         {Snowy owl}, under {Barn}, {Burrowing}, etc.

   Note: In the Scriptures the owl is commonly associated with
         desolation; poets and story-tellers introduce it as a
         bird of ill omen. . . . The Greeks and Romans made it
         the emblem of wisdom, and sacred to Minerva, -- and
         indeed its large head and solemn eyes give it an air of
         wisdom. --Am. Cyc.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of the domestic pigeon.

   {Owl monkey} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of South
      American nocturnal monkeys of the genus {Nyctipithecus}.
      They have very large eyes. Called also {durukuli}.

   {Owl moth} (Zo["o]l.), a very large moth ({Erebus strix}).
      The expanse of its wings is over ten inches.

   {Owl parrot} (Zo["o]l.), the kakapo.

   {Sea owl} (Zo["o]l.), the lumpfish.

   {Owl train}, a cant name for certain railway trains whose run
      is in the nighttime.