hawk

noun \ ˈhȯk \

Updated on: 13 Oct 2017

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 or combative attitude (as in a dispute) and advocates immediate vigorous action; especially :a supporter of a war or warlike policy — compare dove

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hawkish

play \ˈhȯ-kish\ adjective

- hawkish foreign policy

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hawkishly

adverb

- watched hawkishly

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hawkishness

noun

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hawk-like

play \ˈhȯk-ˌlīk\ or hawklike adjective

- a hawk-like bird
- hawklike attention

Origin and Etymology of hawk

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Birds Terms

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

hawk

verb

Definition of hawk

intransitive verb

1 :to hunt birds by means of a trained hawk (see ¹hawk 1) :to practice falconry

2 :to soar and strike like a hawk (see ¹hawk 1)

birds hawking after insects

transitive verb

:to hunt (someone or something) in flight like a hawk (see ¹hawk 1)

hawking insects

Origin and Etymology of hawk

see ¹hawk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

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

hawk

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 trying to clear the throat

Origin and Etymology of hawk

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

See Words from the same year

hawk

noun

Definition of hawk

:an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat

Origin and Etymology of hawk

see ³hawk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

See Words from the same year

hawk

verb

Definition of hawk

transitive verb

:to offer (something) for sale by calling out in the street

hawking newspapers

; broadly :sell

Origin and Etymology of hawk

back-formation from ²hawker

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1713

See Words from the same year

Financial Definition of HAWK

hawk

noun

What It Is

A hawk is a person, usually in a politically oriented profession, who favors government efforts to control inflation or who favors reducing the federal budget deficit.

How It Works

Let's assume John Doe works for the presidential administration as an economic advisor. He believes that higher interest rates could control the economy's runaway inflation, and that if the Federal Reserve would just increase its lending rates, this could stabilize the economy. He advises the president of this and encourages others in the administration to encourage the Federal Reserve to increase its rates. John Doe is a hawk.

Jane Smith is a deficit hawk. She believes that reducing government spending is crucial to decreasing the government's budget deficit.

Why It Matters

The political world is full of nicknames. Hawks are of particular interest to the business community because they often influence or at least put pressure on various parts of the government to take actions that can affect the values of stocks, bonds and other securities.

Source: Investing Answers

HAWK Defined for Kids

hawk

noun \ ˈhȯk \

Definition of hawk for Students

:a bird of prey that has a strong hooked bill and sharp curved claws and is smaller than most eagles

hawk

verb

Definition of hawk for Students

hawked; hawking

:to offer for sale by calling out

hawk newspapers

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hawker

noun

hawk

verb

Definition of hawk for Students

hawked; hawking

:to make a harsh coughing sound in clearing the throat

Medical Dictionary

hawk

transitive verb \ ˈhȯk \

medical Definition of hawk

:to raise by trying to clear the throat

hawk up phlegm

intransitive verb

:to make a harsh coughing sound in clearing the throat

hawk

noun

medical Definition of hawk

:an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat

Learn More about hawk

See words that rhyme with hawk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hawk Spanish Central: Translation of hawk Nglish: Translation of hawk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hawk for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hawk

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Definition of hawk

hawkish

hawkishly

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Origin and Etymology of hawk

Other Birds Terms

hawk

Definition of hawk

Origin and Etymology of hawk

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

hawk

Definition of hawk

Origin and Etymology of hawk

hawk

Definition of hawk

Origin and Etymology of hawk

hawk

Definition of hawk

Origin and Etymology of hawk

Financial Definition of HAWK

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

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HAWK Defined for Kids

hawk

Definition of hawk for Students

hawk

Definition of hawk for Students

hawker

hawk

Definition of hawk for Students

Medical Dictionary

hawk

medical Definition of hawk

hawk

medical Definition of hawk

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