I. ˈhȯk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English hauk, from Old English hafoc, heafoc; akin to Old High German habuh hawk, Old Norse haukr hawk, Russian kobets, falcon
1.
a. : any of numerous diurnal birds of prey belonging to the suborder Falcones of the order Falconiformes:
(1) : any of the smaller members of this group (as falcons, buzzards, harriers, kites, caracaras, and ospreys) as distinguished from the notably large eagles and Old World vultures
(2) : any of various typical members of the family Accipitridae (as the New World Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks and the Old World sparrow hawks) : accipiter — see goshawk; bill illustration; compare owl
b. : any of various birds that suggest hawks in appearance or behavior — used chiefly in combination; see nighthawk
2. : one (as a swindler) who preys on his fellowmen
3. : a small board or metal sheet with a handle on the underside used to hold mortar
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English hauken, from hauk, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to hunt birds by means of trained hawks : practice falconry
2. : to soar and strike like a hawk
birds hawking after insects
transitive verb
: to hunt on the wing like a hawk
the small bats hawk insects in midair — J.A.Thomson
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from hawker (II)
transitive verb
: to offer for sale by calling out or crying in the street : carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale : peddle : offer to various people for sale
his works were hawked in every street — Jonathan Swift
small boys hawk large, luscious figs along the street — American Guide Series: North Carolina
a dozen or so scripts which were currently being hawked about town by various play agents — George Noble
intransitive verb
: to peddle goods : hawk merchandise
balloon-and-pennant man, hawking by the grandstand gate — W.V.T.Clark
IV. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: imitative
intransitive verb
: to utter a harsh palatal or guttural sound in or as if in trying to clear the throat
transitive verb
: to raise (as phlegm) by hawking — often used with up
V. noun
( -s )
: an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat
VI. noun
( -es )
: one who takes a militant attitude (as in a dispute) and advocates immediate vigorous action — compare dove herein
• hawk·ish ˈhȯkə̇sh adjective
• hawk·ish·ly -lē adverb
• hawk·ish·ness -nəs noun