Definition

1. Noun:

   • A bird of prey: A diurnal bird of prey, typically having short, rounded wings and a long tail, known for hunting small animals.
   • An aggressive advocate: A person, especially in politics, who advocates for aggressive or warlike policies, particularly in foreign relations.
   • A tool: A square board with a handle underneath, used by masons to hold or carry mortar.

2. Verb:

   • To hunt with a hawk: To hunt game using a trained hawk.
   • To clear the throat: To make an effort to clear mucus from the throat, often producing a short, sharp sound.
   • To sell goods publicly: To offer goods for sale by carrying them around or calling out in public.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Bird):
  • A hawk circled high above the field, searching for prey.
• Noun (Person):
  • The senator was known as a hawk, always pushing for increased military spending.
• Noun (Tool):
  • The mason spread the mortar using his hawk.
• Verb (Hunt):
  • In medieval times, nobles would hawk for sport.
• Verb (Clear throat):
  • He had to hawk several times to clear his throat before speaking.
• Verb (Sell):
  • Vendors would hawk their wares in the bustling market square.

Advanced Usage

• "To have eyes like a hawk": To be very observant and quick to notice things.
  • The teacher has eyes like a hawk and sees every mistake.
• "War hawk": A person who strongly favors war or military action.
  • The war hawks in the government argued for immediate intervention.

Variants and Related Words

• Hawker (n): A person who travels about selling goods.
  • The street was filled with hawkers selling fruits and vegetables.
• Hawkish (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a hawk; advocating aggressive policies.
  • The politician's hawkish stance worried the diplomats.

Synonyms

• Noun (Bird): Falcon, bird of prey, raptor.
• Noun (Person): Militarist, hardliner, warmonger.
• Verb (Sell): Peddle, vend, tout.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hawk around: To try to sell or promote something persistently in various places.
  • He spent the summer hawking his new book around to various publishers.

Related Idioms

• "Watch someone like a hawk": To watch someone very closely and carefully.
  • The security guard watched the suspicious person like a hawk.
• "A hawk in a dove-cote": A disruptive or aggressive person in a peaceful setting.
  • His angry outburst was like a hawk in a dove-cote, shattering the meeting's calm.

Noun

1. a square board with a handle underneath; used by masons to hold or carry mortar
2. an advocate of an aggressive policy on foreign relations
3. diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

Verb

1. clear mucus or food from one's throat
   • he cleared his throat before he started to speak
2. hunt with hawks
   • the tribes like to hawk in the desert
3. sell or offer for sale from place to place