meaning of hawk
1. Any moth of the family Sphingidae, of which there are numerous genera and species. They are large, handsome moths, which fly mostly at twilight and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking the honey by means of a long, slender proboscis. The larvae are large, hairless caterpillars ornamented with green and other bright colors, and often with a caudal spine. See Sphinx, also Tobacco worm, and Tomato worm.
2. One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconidae. 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.
3. To catch, or attempt to catch, birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry.
4. To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk; -- generally with at; as, to hawk at flies.
5. To clear the throat with an audible sound by forcing an expiratory current of air through the narrow passage between the depressed soft palate and the root of the tongue, thus aiding in the removal of foreign substances.
6. To raise by hawking, as phlegm.
7. An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise.
8. To offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets.
9. A small board, with a handle on the under side, to hold mortar.
10. diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
Related Words
hawk | hawk moth | hawk nose | hawk owl | hawk-eyed | hawkbill | hawkbit | hawked | hawker | hawkey | hawkeye state | hawking | hawkins | hawkishness | hawklike | hawkmoth | hawks-beard | hawks-beards | hawksbill | hawksbill turtle | hawkshaw | hawkweed | hawky | hawkyns |
