King James Bible Dictionary

(Heb. netz, a word expressive of strong and rapid flight, and hence appropriate to the hawk). It is an unclean bird (Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15). It is common in Syria and surrounding countries. The Hebrew word includes various species of Falconidae, with special reference perhaps to the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the hobby (Hypotriorchis subbuteo), and the lesser kestrel (Tin, Cenchris). The kestrel remains all the year in Palestine, but some ten or twelve other species are all migrants from the south. Of those summer visitors to Palestine special mention may be made of the Falco sacer and the Falco lanarius. (See NIGHT-HAWK.)

A carnivorous and unclean bird.
Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15; Job 39:26

(Leviticus 11:16; 14:15; Job 39:26) The hawk includes various species of the Falconid' . With respect to the passage in Job (l.c.) which appears to allude to the migratory habits of hawks, it is curious to observe that of the ten or twelve lesser raptors (hawk tribe) of Palestine, nearly all are summer migrants. The kestrel remains all the year, but the others are all migrants from the south.

HAWK, noun A genus of fowls, the Falco, of many species, having a crooked beak, furnished with a cere at the base, a cloven tongue, and the head thick set with feathers. Most of the species are rapacious, feeding on birds or other small animals. Hawks were formerly trained for sport or catching small birds.

HAWK, verb intransitive To catch or attempt to catch birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry.

He that hawks at larks and sparrows.

A falc'ner Henry is, when Emma hawks.

1. To fly at; to attack on the wing; with at.

To hawk at flies.

HAWK, verb intransitive To make an effort to force up phlegm with noise; as, to hawk and spit.

To hawk up, transitively; as, to hawk up phlegm.

HAWK, noun An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise.

HAWK, verb transitive [Latin auctio, auction, a sale by outcry.] To cry; to offer for sale by outcry in the street, or to sell by outcry; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets.

HAWK'ED, participle passive Offered for sale by outcry in the street.

1. Crooked; curving like a hawk's bill.

HAWK'ER, noun One who offers goods for sale by outcry in the street; a peddlar.

1. A falconer.

HAWK'EYED, adjective Having acute sight; discerning.

HAWK'ING, participle present tense Catching wild birds by hawks.

1. Making an effort to discharge phlegm.

2. Offering for sale in the street by outcry.

HAWK'ING, noun The exercise of taking wild fowls by means of hawks.

HAWK'NOSED, adjective Having an aquiline nose.

HAWK'WEED, noun The vulgar name of several species of plants, of the genera, Hieracium, Crepis, Hyoseris, and Andryala.