accipiter

[ ak-sip-i-ter ]

/ ækˈsɪp ɪ tər /

noun

a hawk of the genus Accipiter, having short, rounded wings and a long tail and feeding chiefly on small mammals and birds.

Nearby words

accidentally, accidentally on purpose, accidently, accidentology, accidie, accipiter, accipitral, accipitrine, accius, acclaim, acclamation

Origin of accipiter

1870–75; < New Latin, Latin: hawk

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for accipiter

This is a near relative of the Indian koel, which bears remarkable resemblance to an American hawk (Accipiter cooperi).
Birds of the Indian Hills|Douglas Dewar
Several species of Astur and Accipiter (Bazi) feed on small songsters and mice.
The Highlands of Ethiopia|William Cornwallis Harris
Then there are two other falconers on foot, one carrying a goshawk and the other a sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus).
Jungle Folk|Douglas Dewar
A Dorhawke or kind of Accipiter muscarius conceiued to haue its name from feeding upon flies & beetles.
Notes and Letters on the Natural History of Norfolk|Thomas Browne

It is in habits and appearance very like the common sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus).
Glimpses of Indian Birds|Douglas Dewar

British Dictionary definitions for accipiter

accipiter

/ (ækˈsɪpɪtə) /

noun

any hawk of the genus Accipiter, typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

Word Origin for accipiter

C19: New Latin, from Latin: hawk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012