hawk: Meaning and Definition of

hawk

Pronunciation: (hôk), [key]
— n.
  1. any of numerous birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, having a short, hooked beak, broad wings, and curved talons, often seen circling or swooping at low altitudes.
  2. any of several similar, unrelated birds, as the nighthawk.
  3. a person who preys on others, as a sharper.
  4. Also calleda person, esp. one in public office, who advocates war or a belligerent national attitude. Cf. dove (def. 5).
  5. any person who pursues an aggressive policy in business, government, etc.: The corporation is now run by a bunch of young hawks.
—v.i.
  1. to fly, or hunt on the wing, like a hawk.
  2. to hunt with hawks.

hawk

Pronunciation: (hôk), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to peddle or offer for sale by calling aloud in public.
  2. to advertise or offer for sale: to hawk soap on television.
  3. to spread (rumors, news, etc.).
—v.i.
  1. to carry wares about for sale; peddle.

hawk

Pronunciation: (hôk), [key]
— v.i.
  1. to make an effort to raise phlegm from the throat; clear the throat noisily.
—v.t.
  1. to raise by hawking: to hawk phlegm up.
—n.
  1. a noisy effort to clear the throat.

hawk

Pronunciation: (hôk), [key]
— n.
  1. a small, square board with a handle underneath it, used by plasterers and masons to hold plaster or mortar being applied.

Hawk

Pronunciation: (hôk), [key]
— n. Mil.
  1. a medium-range, mobile U.S. surface-to-air missile system.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: