gyrfalcon

[ jur-fawl-kuhn, -fal-, -faw-kuhn ]

noun

a large falcon, Falco rusticolus, of Arctic and subarctic regions, having white, gray, or blackish color phases: now greatly reduced in number.

Origin of gyrfalcon

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gerfaucon, jerfacoun, from Middle French, Old French, equivalent to ger- (perhaps from Old High German giri “greedy”) + faucon falcon; compare Old Norse geirfalki

Also ger·fal·con .

Words Nearby gyrfalcon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gyrfalcon in a sentence

The gyrfalcon can certainly not catch a phalarope in flight.
Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part 1 (of 2) | Arthur Cleveland Bent
The gyrfalcon is the best-proportioned and most active member of the Falcon tribe.
Reptiles and Birds | Louis Figuier
This bird is as large as the gyrfalcon, but, although equal in cunning and address, is possessed of less courage.
Reptiles and Birds | Louis Figuier
A dead Arctic tern was on the beach only 90 feet away and visible to the gyrfalcon.
Birds Found on the Arctic Slope of Northern Alaska | James W. Bee
Westley Redhead told us that a gyrfalcon was at Umiat as early as the latter part of May, 1952.
Birds Found on the Arctic Slope of Northern Alaska | James W. Bee

British Dictionary definitions for gyrfalcon

gyrfalcon

gerfalcon

/ (ˈdʒɜːˌfɔːlkən, -ˌfɔːkən) /

noun

a very large rare falcon, Falco rusticolus, of northern and arctic regions: often used for hunting

Origin of gyrfalcon

C14: from Old French gerfaucon, perhaps from Old Norse geirfalki, from geirr spear + falki falcon

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

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