hawk
hawk Lexical Profile
hawk Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A diurnal bird of prey with broad rounded wings and a long tail, known for its keen sight and agile flight.
"The hawk soared silently above the canyon before diving swiftly to catch a field mouse."
A person, especially in politics, who advocates for an aggressive or militaristic approach to foreign policy.
"During the debate, the foreign policy hawks in the administration argued for an immediate military intervention."
• verb
To offer goods for sale by calling out in the street or going from door to door.
"Vendors lined the bustling market street to hawk their fresh produce and handmade crafts."
To clear the throat noisily in order to bring up phlegm.
"He stopped to hawk and spit onto the dirt path before continuing his arduous climb."
To hunt game using a trained bird of prey.
"The nobility of medieval Europe would frequently hawk in the sprawling royal forests."
Word Nuance & Usage
In political discourse, 'hawk' is directly contrasted with 'dove'. The word also functions as three distinct homophones in its verb forms, meaning to peddle goods, to hunt with a raptor, or to noisily clear one's throat.
• Rhymes for hawk
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun (bird) derives from Old English 'hafoc', of Germanic origin. The verb (to peddle) is a back-formation from 'hawker', from Middle Low German 'hōker'. The verb (clearing throat) is likely of imitative origin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.