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definitions

hawk moth

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noun

any of numerous moths of the family Sphingidae, noted for their very swift flight and ability to hover while sipping nectar from flowers.

Origin of hawk moth

First recorded in 1775–85
Also called sphingid, sphinx moth, hummingbird moth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hawk moth

Historical Examples of hawk moth

  • He had watched five blossoms when he heard the Hawk-Moth coming.

    Among the Night People

    Clara Dillingham Pierson

  • "I have yellow spots—ten of them," answered the Hawk-Moth sulkily.

    Among the Night People

    Clara Dillingham Pierson

  • Many of the Hawk-moth caterpillars have eye-like spots, to which I shall have to allude again presently.

  • There are several species of the hawk-moth which attack the grape but this is the common one.

  • The Hawk-Moth said something about having to go and thinking that the primrose honey was not so good as usual.

    Among the Night People

    Clara Dillingham Pierson

British Dictionary definitions for hawk moth

hawk moth

noun

any of various moths of the family Sphingidae, having long narrow wings and powerful flight, with the ability to hover over flowers when feeding from the nectarAlso called: sphinx moth, hummingbird moth See also death's-head moth
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