buzzard

¹ American  

[buhz-erd] / ˈbʌz ərd /

noun

British Dialect.

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

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buzzard ² American  

[buhz-erd] / ˈbʌz ərd /

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.

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adjective

1. Obsolete. senseless; stupid.

buzzard British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• buzzardlike adjective
• buzzardly adjective

Etymology

Origin of buzzard¹

First recorded in 1645–55; buzz + -ard

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times