n. & v.
—n.
1 any of various diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, having a characteristic curved beak, rounded short wings, and a long tail.
2 Polit. a person who advocates an aggressive or warlike policy, esp. in foreign affairs.
3 a rapacious person.
—v.
1 intr. hunt game with a hawk.
2 intr. (often foll. by at) & tr. attack, as a hawk does.
3 intr. (of a bird) hunt on the wing for food.
Phrases and idioms:
hawk-eyed keen-sighted. hawk moth any darting and hovering moth of the family Sphingidae, having narrow forewings and a stout body. hawk-nosed having an aquiline nose.
Derivatives:
hawkish adj. hawkishness n. hawklike adj.
Etymology: OE h(e)afoc, haeligbuc f. Gmc
2.
v.tr.
1 carry about or offer around (goods) for sale.
2 (often foll. by about) relate (news, gossip, etc.) freely.
Etymology: back-form. f. HAWKER(1)
3.
v.
1 intr. clear the throat noisily.
2 tr. (foll. by up) bring (phlegm etc.) up from the throat.
Etymology: prob. imit.
4.
n. a plasterer's square board with a handle underneath for carrying plaster or mortar.
Etymology: 17th c.: orig. unkn.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.