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Glite Dictionary
gyrfalcon

gyrfalcon

1 9.9
A very large, rare bird of prey from Arctic regions, often white or gray
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɪrˌfɔːkən/
translation icon : gyrfalco
  • The gyrfalcon, known for its striking plumage, is a rare sight in the Arctic tundra.
  • an arctic gyrfalcon
  • a white gyrfalcon
  • gyrfalcon's mew

Examples

  • The gyrfalcon was mine.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Second only to the eagle in nobility and fierceness is the gyrfalcon. - The Falconer's Art

    Fiction book (1993)

  • "But I thought," I said, "we were to work with the gyrfalcon today."

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The king has given the gyrfalcon to you.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The far end, where the gyrfalcon was mewed, lay deep in shadow.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • I did not ask to fly the gyrfalcon, and Corwyn did not offer so much as to let me approach her mew.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • I had thought to begin work with the gyrfalcon forthwith and began to feel impatient with these chores.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Slowly, he moved toward me, right to the gyrfalcon's mew, and eyed me between the slats.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • I turned toward the gyrfalcon's mew, and I marked a light, fluttering form behind the slats.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • It must hie from the far, far north, where the whitest gyrfalcons dwell.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

Falco rusticolus
vsgyrfalcon
  • Specialized
9.9

A large rare falcon from the Arctic often white or dark

is the common English name rather than the scientific label
gerfalcon
vsgyrfalcon
  • US
9.9

A large rare Arctic falcon with white or dark feathers

is broader, also including gray phases and the largest size among falcons

How Large

gyrfalcon
1 9.9
peregrine
5 9.1
kestrel
3 7.9

Surface Forms

gyrfalcon singular
gyrfalcons plural

Morphology

gyrfalcon = falcon (semi-transparent) = gyr + falcon

The word clearly names a type of 'falcon' (transparent component), but the first element 'gyr' is a non‑productive, obscure combining element not interpretable by average learners.

Etymology

The word gyrfalcon comes from the Old Norse name gyrfalki, where the second part is the same as English falcon and the first part, gyr, likely points to 'grey' or 'pale'. A helpful way to remember it is that the gyrfalcon is a very large northern falcon often white or grey, so the old name fits the bird's colour and home.