Abbreviated lecture covering predatory avian's weapon (5)
I believe the answer is:
talon
'predatory avian's weapon' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'abbreviated lecture covering' is the wordplay.
'abbreviated' means to remove the last letter (the word is shortened or abbreviated).
'lecture' becomes 'talk' (synonyms).
'covering' becomes 'on'.
'talk' with its final letter taken away is 'tal'.
'tal'+'on'='TALON'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for talon that I've seen before include "Bird's claw" , "part to make savage cuts" , "Tonal (anag.)" , "Bird of prey's claw" , "Eg, an eagle's claw" .)