goshawk

English

Etymology

From Middle English goshauk, from Old English gōshafoc (goose hawk), from gōs (goose) and hafoc (hawk). Compare also Old Norse gáshaukr and Late Middle English gosling. The bird gets its name from the fact that the birds of the species are hawks that were alleged to prey on geese.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɡɒshɔːk/
  • (file)
  • (Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɡɑshɑk/
  • Rhymes: -ɒshɔːk, -ɑshɑk
  • Hyphenation: gos‧hawk

Noun

goshawk (plural goshawks)

  1. Any of several birds of prey, principally in the genus Accipiter.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

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