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tiercel

noun
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tier·​cel | \ ˈtir-səl How to pronounce tiercel (audio) \
variants: or \ ˈtər-​səl How to pronounce tiercel (audio) \

Definition of tiercel

: a male hawk especially : a male peregrine falcon

First Known Use of tiercel

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tiercel

Middle English tercel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *tertiolus, from diminutive of Latin tertius third; probably from the fact that the male is about one third smaller than the female

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The first known use of tiercel was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tiercel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiercel. Accessed 14 Jun. 2021.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tiercel

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