any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods. Compare wandering albatross.
2.
a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility.
3.
something burdensome that impedes action or progress.
4.
Textiles.
a.
a lightweight worsted fabric with a crepe or pebble finish.
b.
a plain-weave cotton fabric with a soft nap surface.
Origin: 1675–85; var. of algatross frigate bird < Pg alcatraz pelican, prob. < Ar al-ghaṭṭāṣ a kind of sea eagle, lit., the diver; -b- for -g- perh. by assoc. with L albus white (the bird's color)
al·ba·tross (āl'bə-trôs', -trŏs') n.
pl.albatross or al·ba·tross·es
Any of several large web-footed birds constituting the family Diomedeidae, chiefly of the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
A constant, worrisome burden.
An obstacle to success.
[Probably alteration (influenced by Latin albus, white) of alcatras, pelican, from Portuguese or Spanish alcatraz, from Arabic al-ġaṭṭās : al-, the + ġaṭṭās, diver, sea eagle (from ġaṭasa, to plunge, dive; see ġṭs in Semitic roots). Sense 2, after the albatross in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which the mariner killed and had to wear around his neck as a penance.]
[al-buh-traws, -tros] 
