hawk

¹hawk

noun \ˈhȯk\

Definition of HAWK

1

: any of numerous diurnal birds of prey belonging to a suborder (Falcones of the order Falconiformes) and including all the smaller members of this group; especially : accipiter

2

: a small board or metal sheet with a handle on the underside used to hold mortar

3

: one who takes a militant attitude and advocates immediate vigorous action; especially : a supporter of a war or warlike policy — compare dove

— hawk·ish \ˈhȯ-kish\ adjective

— hawk·ish·ly adverb

— hawk·ish·ness noun

Origin of HAWK

Middle English hauk, from Old English hafoc; akin to Old High German habuh hawk, Russian kobets a falcon

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with HAWK

auk, balk, calk, caulk, chalk, gawk, Koch, Sauk, squawk, stalk, talk, walk

²hawk

verb

Definition of HAWK

intransitive verb

1

: to hunt birds by means of a trained hawk

2

: to soar and strike like a hawk

transitive verb

: to hunt on the wing like a hawk

First Known Use of HAWK

14th century

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

³hawk

verb

Definition of HAWK

transitive verb

: to raise by trying to clear the throat <hawk up phlegm>

intransitive verb

: to utter a harsh guttural sound in or as if in hawking

Origin of HAWK

imitative

First Known Use: 1581

⁴hawk

noun

Definition of HAWK

: an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat

First Known Use of HAWK

1604

⁵hawk

transitive verb

Definition of HAWK

: to offer for sale by calling out in the street <hawking newspapers>; broadly : sell

Origin of HAWK

back-formation from ²hawker

First Known Use: 1713

hawk

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).—Alan Carey

Any of many small to medium-sized, diurnal birds of prey, particularly those in the genus Accipiter. The term is often applied to other birds in the Accipitridae family (including buzzards, harriers, and kites) and sometimes to certain falcons. Hawks usually eat small mammals, reptiles, and insects but occasionally kill birds. There is often no difference in plumage between sexes. Hawks are found on the six major continents. Most nest in trees, but some nest on the ground or on cliffs. True hawks (accipiters) can usually be distinguished in flight by their long tails and short, rounded wings. They are exemplified by the 12-in (30-cm) sharp-shinned hawk (A. striatus), gray above with fine rusty barring below, found throughout much of the New World. See also goshawk, sparrow hawk.