[hawk] n [ME hauk, fr. OE hafoc; akin to OHG habuh hawk, Russ kobets a falcon] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous diurnal birds of prey belonging to a suborder (Falcones of the order Falconiformes) and including all the smaller members of this group; esp: accipiter--compare owl
2: a small board or metal sheet with a handle on the underside used to hold mortar
3: one who takes a militant attitude and advocates immediate vigorous action; esp: a supporter of a war or warlike policy--compare dove -- hawk.ish adj -- hawk.ish.ly adv -- hawk.ish.ness n
[2]hawk vi (14c) 1: to hunt birds by means of a trained hawk
2: to soar and strike like a hawk ~ vt: to hunt on the wing like a hawk [3]hawk vb [imit.] vt (1581): to raise by trying to clear the throat "~ up phlegm" ~ vi: to utter a harsh guttural sound in or as if hawking [4]hawk n (1604): an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat [5]hawk vt [back-formation fr.
[2]hawker] (1713): to offer for sale by calling out in the street "~ing newspapers"; broadly: sell