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.