goshawk

Meaning

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

Synonyms

Accipiter gentilis

northern goshawk

hawk

accipiter

Accipiter

chicken hawk

hen hawk

bare-faced go-away bird

Northern goshawk

falcon

hobby

kite

🪁

Translations

astore

azor

Accipiter gentilis

autour

Habicht

astor

havik

açor

astor

autour des palombes

Hühnerhabicht

διπλοσάινο

accipiter

atmaca

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɡɒshɔːk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: goshauk

Inherited from Old English: gōshafoc

Cognate with Old Norse: gáshaukr

Cognate with Middle English: gosling

In summary

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.