falconet

American  

[fawl-kuh-net, fal-, faw-kuh-] / ˈfɔl kəˌnɛt, ˈfæl-, ˈfɔ kə- /

noun

1. any of several small Asian falcons, especially of the genus Microhierax.

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falconet British  

/ ˈfɔːkə-, ˈfɔːlkəˌnɛt /

noun

1. any of various small falcons, esp any of the Asiatic genus Microhierax

2. a small light cannon used from the 15th to 17th centuries

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Etymology

Origin of falconet

First recorded in 1850–55; falcon + -et

Example Sentences

A plague on falcon and falconet, on cannon and demicannon, and all the barking bull-dogs whom they halloo against stone and lime in these our days!

From The Abbot by Scott, Walter, Sir

As the fierce falcon hawk gave its name to the falcon and falconet, so the saker was named for the saker hawk; rabinet, meaning "rooster," was therefore a suitable name for the falcon's small-bore cousin.

From Artillery Through the Ages A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America by Manucy, Albert

The galley came straight for them as if seeking speech, however, and when a falconet was fired from the carack without charge, she lowered her sail and put out her sweeps, coming straight for them.

From Nuala O'Malley by Bedford-Jones, H.

"Nay, but we started as balls shot from a falconet."

From Dreamers of the Ghetto by Zangwill, Israel

It had been pierced for only a short gun—a minion or falconet perhaps; and doubtless within three feet of him was a stone walk extending for the whole length of the wall.

From With Drake on the Spanish Main by Strang, Herbert