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Glite Dictionary
falcon-gentle

falcon-gentle

9.9
A female bird of prey used by people in falconry
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : halcón gentil
  • The falcon-gentle is prized in falconry for her speed and agility.

Examples

  • Only the most skilled handlers are entrusted with a falcon-gentle.

  • To train a falcon-gentle, one must understand her behaviors and instincts.

  • Legend held that a falcon-gentle brought luck to the hunt.

  • The falcon-gentle soared gracefully in the sky.

  • A falcon-gentle is essential for successful falconry.

  • The falcon-gentle is highly valued by falconers for her exceptional hunting skills.

  • Many falconers prefer a falcon-gentle for her ability to catch small game.

Synonyms

falcon
vsfalcon-gentle
114 2.7

A bird that hunts other animals, has long pointed wings, and flies very fast

is narrower, meaning female birds used in falconry rather than any such bird
peregrine
vsfalcon-gentle
5 9.1

A large fast falcon that dives at high speed to catch prey

focuses on female birds used in falconry rather than the species generally
peregrine falcon
vsfalcon-gentle
3 5.5

A large fast bird of prey that dives to catch other birds

refers only to female birds used in falconry rather than the whole species
falcon-gentil
vsfalcon-gentle
  • Archaic
9.9

A female hunting bird like a peregrine falcon

is the same meaning but uses a different traditional form
Falco peregrinus
vsfalcon-gentle
  • Specialized
6.5

A type of falcon that dives very fast to catch animals

is limited to female birds used in falconry rather than the species

Surface Forms

falcon-gentle singular
falcon-gentles plural

Morphology

falcon-gentle = falcon + gentle (opaque) = falcon + gentle

Although formed from 'falcon' + 'gentle', the technical falconry sense ('female/ well-bred hawk') of 'gentle' is specialized and not derivable by average learners.

Etymology

Falcon-gentle combines falcon and gentle. In old hunting speech, gentle meant 'tame' or 'well-bred' for a bird. So a falcon-gentle is a trained, often female, falcon used in falconry.