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hawk
hawk name generally applied to the smaller members of the Accipitridae, a heterogeneous family of diurnal birds of prey, such as the eagle , the kite , the Old World vulture , and the secretary bird . Hawks belong to the same order as the falcon , the New World vulture, and the osprey . Hawks have keen sight, sharply hooked bills, and powerful feet with curved talons. Strong and graceful in flight, they are distinguished from falcons by their broader, rounded wings. Typical of the hunting hawks, or accipiters, is the goshawk found in northern temperate regions, which feeds on small mammals and on other birds, riding its prey to the ground. Other destructive American accipiters are the chicken, or Cooper's, hawk, Accipiter cooperi, and the small (robin-sized) sharp-shinned hawk, A. fuscus, which is known to feed on at least 50 species of harmless or beneficial birds. The males of this group are usually smaller than the females. Buteos (called buzzards by the English) are a diverse and cosmopolitan group of medium to large hawks and eagles with shorter legs and tails and larger wings than the accipiters. They include beneficial hawks such as the American red-tailed, red-shouldered, broad-winged, rough-legged, and Swainson's hawks, which feed on harmful rodents and reptiles. Except for the harriers, or marsh hawks (owl-faced birds of open land and marshes), which are ground nesters, hawks build their nests of sticks and twigs in trees. All hawks regurgitate the indigestible portions of their prey as pellets. Included in this group is the serpent eagle of Africa, which somersaults in its flight. The name hawk is applied also to many falcons and the totally unrelated nighthawk (a goatsucker ), certain members of the gull and jaeger families, and the hawk swallow, a European swift . True hawks are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae. |
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"hawk." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hawk." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hawk.html "hawk." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hawk.html |
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hawk
hawk1 / hôk/ • n. 1. a diurnal bird of prey (Accipiter and other genera, family Accipitridae) with broad rounded wings and a long tail, typically taking prey by surprise with a short chase. Compare with falcon. ∎ a bird of prey related to the buteos. ∎ Falconry any diurnal bird of prey used in falconry. 2. a person who advocates an aggressive or warlike policy, esp. in foreign affairs. Compare with dove1 (sense 2). • v. [intr.] 1. (of a person) hunt game with a trained hawk. 2. (of a bird or dragonfly) hunt on the wing for food. PHRASES: have eyes like a hawk miss nothing of what is going on around one. watch someone like a hawk keep a vigilant eye on someone, esp. to check that they do nothing wrong.DERIVATIVES: hawk·ish adj. hawk·ish·ly adv. hawk·ish·ness n. hawk2 • v. [tr.] carry around and offer (goods) for sale, typically advertising them by shouting: street traders were hawking costume jewelry. hawk3 • v. [intr.] clear the throat noisily: he hawked and spat into the flames. ∎ [tr.] (hawk something up) bring phlegm up from the throat. hawk4 • n. a plasterer's square board with a handle underneath for carrying plaster or mortar. |
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"hawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hawk.html "hawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hawk.html |
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hawk
hawk in falconry, any diurnal bird of prey, used in falconry.
Hawk is also used to denote a person who advocates an aggressive or warlike policy, especially in foreign affairs; the opposite of a dove. have eyes like a hawk miss nothing of what is going on around one. hawks will not pick out hawks' eyes powerful people from the same group will not attack one another (compare dog does not eat dog). The saying is recorded from the late 16th century. know a hawk from a handsaw have ordinary discernment, chiefly with allusion to Shakespeare's Hamlet, when Hamlet, who has been feigning madness, says, ‘I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.’ (Handsaw is generally taken as an alteration of heronshaw, a heron.) watch someone like a hawk keep a vigilant eye on someone, especially to check that they do nothing wrong. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hawk." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hawk." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hawk.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hawk." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hawk.html |
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hawk
hawk Bird of prey of the family Accipitridae, which includes the true hawk, buzzard, eagle, harrier, kite, osprey and vulture. They range in size from the tiny sparrow hawk to the harpy eagle. Hawks have short, hooked bills for tearing meat and strong claws for killing prey. Common coloration is red, brown or grey plumage with streaks on the wings. Length: 28–66 cm (11–26in). Order Falconiformes. See also falcon
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"hawk." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hawk." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hawk.html "hawk." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hawk.html |
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HAWK
HAWK MIM-23 a surface-to-air missile system that provides air defense coverage for ground forces. It was first deployed in the 1960s and is still in use today.
HAWK is an acronym for Homing All the Way Killer. |
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"HAWK." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "HAWK." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-HAWK.html "HAWK." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-HAWK.html |
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hawk
hawk hawk n. a person who advocates an aggressive or warlike policy, especially in foreign affairs: severe limits were put on the peace plan by party hawks. Compare with dove.
hawkish adj. hawkishly adv. hawkishness n. hawklike adj. |
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Cite this article
"hawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-hawk.html "hawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-hawk.html |
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hawk
hawk1 bird of prey. OE. h(e)afoc = OS. habuk (Du. havik), OHG. habuh (G. habicht), ON. haukr :- Gmc. *χabukaz, rel. to Pol. kobuz, Russ. kóbets species of hawk or kite.
Hence hawk vb. XIV. |
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T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk.html T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk.html |
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Hawk
Hawk ♂ From the term denoting the bird of prey (Middle English hauk, from Old English hafoc), or a transferred use of the surname derived from this word.
Variant: Hawke. |
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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Hawk." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Hawk." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Hawk.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Hawk." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Hawk.html |
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hawk
hawk3 clear the throat noisily. XVI. prob. imit.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk2.html T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk2.html |
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hawk
hawk2 plasterer's hod. XIV. of unkn. orig.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk1.html T. F. HOAD. "hawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-hawk1.html |
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hawks
hawks See ACCIPITRIDAE; FALCONIFORMES.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "hawks." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "hawks." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-hawks.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "hawks." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-hawks.html |
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hawk
hawk
•auk, baulk, Bork, caulk (US calk), chalk, cork, dork, Dundalk, Falk, fork, gawk, hawk, Hawke, nork, orc, outwalk, pork, squawk, stalk, stork, talk, torc, torque, walk, york
•pitchfork • nighthawk • goshawk
•mohawk • sparrowhawk • tomahawk
•back talk • peptalk • beanstalk
•sweet-talk • crosstalk • small talk
•smooth-talk • catwalk • jaywalk
•cakewalk • space walk
•sheep walk, sleepwalk
•skywalk • sidewalk • crosswalk
•boardwalk • rope-walk
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"hawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hawk.html "hawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hawk.html |
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