from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hawk \Hawk\ (h[add]k), n. [OE. hauk (prob. fr. Icel.), havek,
AS. hafoc, heafoc; akin to D. havik, OHG. habuh, G. habicht,
Icel. haukr, Sw. h["o]k, Dan. h["o]g, prob. from the root of
E. heave.] (Zool.)
One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the
family {Falconid[ae]}. They differ from the true falcons in
lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in
having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size
and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were
formerly trained like falcons. In a more general sense the
word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as
the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the common American species are the red-tailed
hawk ({Buteo borealis}); the red-shouldered ({Buteo
lineatus}); the broad-winged ({Buteo Pennsylvanicus});
the rough-legged ({Archibuteo lagopus}); the
sharp-shinned ({Accipiter fuscus}). See {Fishhawk},
{Goshawk}, {Marsh hawk}, under {Marsh}, {Night hawk},
under {Night}.
[1913 Webster]
{Bee hawk} (Zool.), the honey buzzard.
{Eagle hawk}. See under {Eagle}.
{Hawk eagle} (Zool.), an Asiatic bird of the genus
{Spiz[ae]tus}, or {Limn[ae]tus}, intermediate between the
hawks and eagles. There are several species.
{Hawk fly} (Zool.), a voracious fly of the family
{Asilid[ae]}. See {Hornet fly}, under {Hornet}.
{Hawk moth}. (Zool.) See {Hawk moth}, in the Vocabulary.
{Hawk owl}. (Zool.)
(a) A northern owl ({Surnia ulula}) of Europe and America. It
flies by day, and in some respects resembles the hawks.
(b) An owl of India ({Ninox scutellatus}).
{Hawk's bill} (Horology), the pawl for the rack, in the
striking mechanism of a clock.
[1913 Webster]