Falco peregrinus
n 1: a widely distributed falcon formerly used in falconry [syn:
{peregrine}, {peregrine falcon}, {Falco peregrinus}]
Peregrine \Per"e*grine\ (p[e^]r"[-e]*gr[i^]n; 277), a. [L.
peregrinus. See {Pilgrim}.]
Foreign; not native; extrinsic or from without; exotic.
[Spelt also {pelegrine}.] "Peregrine and preternatural heat."
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
{Peregrine falcon} (Zool.), a courageous and swift falcon
({Falco peregrinus}), remarkable for its wide distribution
over all the continents. The adult plumage is dark bluish
ash on the back, nearly black on the head and cheeks,
white beneath, barred with black below the throat. Called
also {peregrine hawk}, {duck hawk}, {game hawk}, and
{great-footed hawk}.
[1913 Webster]
Falcon \Fal"con\, n. [OE. faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon,
?. faucon, fr. LL. falco, perh. from L. falx, falcis, a
sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf.
{Falchion}.]
1. (Zool.)
(a) One of a family ({Falconid[ae]}) of raptorial birds,
characterized by a short, hooked beak, strong claws,
and powerful flight.
(b) Any species of the genus {Falco}, distinguished by
having a toothlike lobe on the upper mandible;
especially, one of this genus trained to the pursuit
of other birds, or game.
[1913 Webster]
In the language of falconry, the female
peregrine ({Falco peregrinus}) is exclusively
called the falcon. --Yarrell.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon.
[1913 Webster]
{Chanting falcon}. (Zool.) See under {Chanting}.
[1913 Webster]
falcon-gentil \fal"con-gen`til\, falcon-gentle \falcon-gentle\,
n. [F. faucon-gentil. See {Falcon}, and {Genteel}.]
1. (Zool.) any female falcon; especially
[PJC]
2. (Zool.) a female peregrine falcon ({Falco peregrinus}).
Syn: falcon-gentil.
[WordNet 1.5]
3. (Zool.) The female or young of the goshawk ({Accipiter
gentilis}, formerly {Astur palumbarius}).
[1913 Webster]