Definition

1. Noun:
   • An unfledged or nestling hawk: An "eyas" is a young hawk, specifically one that has not yet fledged (grown the feathers necessary for flight) and is still in the nest. Historically, such birds were taken from the nest for training in falconry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The falconer carefully retrieved the eyas from its nest high in the cliffs.
  • An eyas requires constant care and feeding before it can be trained.

Advanced Usage

• "Eyas hawk": This is a common collocation specifying the type of bird.
  • Training an eyas hawk is a long and patient process, as it imprints on its human keeper.

Variants and Related Words

• Eyas (adjective): Sometimes used attributively to describe something related to a young, nestling hawk.
  • The eyas plumage was still soft and downy.

Synonyms

• Nestling: A bird that is too young to leave the nest.
• Fledgling: A young bird that has just developed the feathers for flight. (Note: "eyas" typically refers to the stage fledging.)
• Chick: A general term for a young bird.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "eyas" is highly specific to the context of hawks and the historical practice of falconry. It is not used for other types of nestling birds.
• The word originates from a mistaken division of the Middle English phrase "a nyas," where "nyas" came from the Old French "niais," meaning "nestling."

Noun

1. an unfledged or nestling hawk