Fal"con (?), n. [OE.
faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon, &?;. faucon, fr. LL. falco,
perh. from L. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf. Falchion.]
1. (Zoöl.) (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.
In the language of falconry, the female peregrine (Falco
peregrinus) is exclusively called the falcon.
Yarrell. 2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon.
Chanting falcon.
(Zoöl.) See under Chanting.
Hear it pronounced