night-hawk

A night-hawk swoops silently through the evening sky.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A nocturnal bird: "night-hawk" refers to any of various birds of the family Caprimulgidae, especially the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), known for its crepuscular or nocturnal habits and its distinctive aerial feeding on insects.
   • A person who stays up late: Informally, "night-hawk" describes someone who is active or awake during the night, often for work or leisure.
   • A thief or prowler: Historically, "night-hawk" can mean a person who engages in criminal activities, such as theft, under the cover of darkness.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We saw a night-hawk swooping over the field at dusk. (A nocturnal bird hunting insects.)
  • My roommate is a real night-hawk; she studies until 3 AM every night. (A person who stays up late.)
  • The police arrested a night-hawk who had been stealing from parked cars. (A thief active at night.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a night-hawk": to have a habit of being awake and active during the night.

  • As a writer, he is a night-hawk, finding inspiration in the quiet hours. (He regularly works late into the night.)

• "night-hawking": the activity of staying up late or being a nocturnal person.

  • Night-hawking is common among university students during exam season. (The habit of being awake at night.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nighthawk (n): an alternative spelling, often used interchangeably.

  • The nighthawk is a common bird in North America. (The bird species.)

• Night-hawker (n): a person who stays up late (less common).

  • He is a dedicated night-hawker, always working after midnight. (A person who stays up late.)

Synonyms

• Nocturnal bird: nightjar, goatsucker, bugeater.
• Person who stays up late: night owl, insomniac, late riser.
• Thief: prowler, burglar, sneak thief.

Related Idioms

• "Night-hawk" as a metaphor: used to describe someone who thrives in nighttime activities.

  • She is a night-hawk when it comes to socializing; she only goes out after 10 PM. (She prefers nighttime social activities.)

• "To night-hawk" (verb, informal): to stay up late or engage in nighttime activities.

  • We decided to night-hawk and watch movies until dawn. (Stay up late for entertainment.)