n. [ OE. faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon, &unr_;. faucon, fr. LL. falco, perh. from L. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf. Falchion. ] 1. (Zool.) (a) One of a family (Falconidæ) of raptorial birds, characterized by a short, hooked beak, strong claws, and powerful flight. (b) Any species of the genus Falco, distinguished by having a toothlike lobe on the upper mandible; especially, one of this genus trained to the pursuit of other birds, or game. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the language of falconry, the female peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is exclusively called the falcon. Yarrell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chanting falcon. (Zool.) See under Chanting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. fauconer, OF. falconier, fauconier, F. fauconnier. See Falcon. ] A person who breeds or trains hawks for taking birds or game; one who follows the sport of fowling with hawks. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dim. of falcon: cf. F. fauconneau, LL. falconeta, properly, a young falcon. ] 1. One of the smaller cannon used in the 15th century and later. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) One of several very small Asiatic falcons of the genus Microhierax. (b) One of a group of Australian birds of the genus Falcunculus, resembling shrikes and titmice. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. faucon-gentil. See Falcon, and Genteel. ] 1. (Zool.) any female falcon; especially -- [ PJC ]

2. (Zool.) a female peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
Syn. -- falcon-gentil. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. (Zool.) The female or young of the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, formerly Astur palumbarius). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Like a falcon or hawk; belonging to the Falconidæ [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. fauconnerie. See Falcon. ] 1. The art of training falcons or hawks to pursue and attack wild fowl or game. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The sport of taking wild fowl or game by means of falcons or hawks. [ 1913 Webster ]