Word Direct Answers

What does "hawk" mean?

Hawk: To catch, or attempt to catch, birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry. A falconer Henry is, when Emma hawks. Prior.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To make an attack while on the wing; to soar and strike like a hawk; -- generally with at; as, to hawk at flies. Dryden. A falcon, towering in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed. Shak.
  2. 3.To clear the throat with an audible sound by forcing an expiratory current of air through the narrow passage between the depressed soft palate and the root of the tongue, thus aiding in the removal of foreign substances.
  3. 4.To raise by hawking, as phlegm.
  4. 5.An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise.
  5. 6.To offer for sale by outcry in the street; to carry (merchandise) about from place to place for sale; to peddle; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets. His works were hawked in every street. Swift.
  6. 7.A small board, with a handle on the under side, to hold mortar. Hawk boy, an attendant on a plasterer to supply him with mortar.

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