eyas

American  

[ahy-uhs] / ˈaɪ əs /

especially British, eyass

noun

1. a nestling, usually a hawk.

2. Falconry. a young falcon or hawk taken from the nest for training.

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eyas British  

/ ˈaɪəs /

noun

1. a nestling hawk or falcon, esp one reared for training in falconry

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Etymology

Origin of eyas

First recorded in 1480–90; variant of nyas, nias ( a nyas taken as an eyas ), from Middle French niais “nestling,” derivative of Latin nīdus “nest;” nest

Example Sentences

Does the occasional eyas fall from its nest?

From New York Times • May 26, 2011

In a statement released on Monday, the agency hesitated to take action out of concern for the eyas and the intact eggs in the nest.

From New York Times • May 10, 2011

"She's an intermewed eyas, and not yet enseamed" means: "She is a young falcon that has recently molted and is still too fat to hunt."

From Time Magazine Archive

“It’s her mate. But he’s not much use. He won’t feed the eyas at this stage of the game. She’s too old. We’ve got to find Frightful.”

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

“The little eyas is good for maybe three hours,” he said to himself.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George