buzzard

¹

[buhz-erd]

noun

1. any of several broad-winged, soaring hawks of the genus Buteo and allied genera, especially B. buteo, of Europe.

2. any of several New World vultures of the family Cathartidae, especially the turkey vulture.

3. Slang.,  a contemptible or cantankerous person (often preceded byold ).

   That old buzzard has lived in the same shack for twenty years.

adjective

1. Obsolete.,  senseless; stupid.

buzzard

²

[buhz-erd]

noun

British Dialect.

1. any of various nocturnal buzzing insects, as cockchafers.

buzzard

/ ˈbʌzəd /

noun

1. any diurnal bird of prey of the genus Buteo , typically having broad wings and tail and a soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) Compare honey buzzard turkey buzzard

2. a mean or cantankerous person

Other Word Forms

• buzzardlike adjective
• buzzardly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzzard¹

1250–1300; Middle English busard < Old French, variant of buisard, equivalent to buis ( on ) buzzard (< Latin būteōn-, stem of būteō kind of hawk) + -ard -ard

Origin of buzzard²

First recorded in 1645–55; buzz + -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzzard¹

C13: from Old French buisard , variant of buison buzzard, from Latin būteō hawk, falcon

Example Sentences

“In the beginning, it did feel like we were this annoying little buzzard,” Miranda said.

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Among the world's largest owls, eagle owls are about twice the weight of buzzards.

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Mr Crompton described looking up and seeing the buzzard fly away from him after swooping down.

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A village primary school in east London has ordered pupils to stay inside due to a dive-bombing buzzard taking up residence in its playground.

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He’d seen buzzards on the hillside just ahead, where the terrain turns steeply upward and the forest begins.

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