Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,740,139,485 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

kestrel

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
kes·trel  (kstrl)
n.
Any of various small falcons belonging to the genus Falco that are distributed worldwide, especially the American kestrel and the European kestrel.

[Probably from obsolete French cresserelle, from Old French cresserele, probably from cresselle, clacker, kestrel.]

kestrel [ˈkɛstrəl]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of several small falcons, esp the European Falco tinnunculus, that tend to hover against the wind and feed on small mammals on the ground
[changed from Old French cresserele, from cressele rattle, from Vulgar Latin crepicella (unattested), from Latin crepitāre to crackle, from crepāre to rustle]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.kestrelkestrel - small North American falcon          
falcon - diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight
Falco, genus Falco - a genus of Falconidae
2.kestrelkestrel - small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind
falcon - diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight
Falco, genus Falco - a genus of Falconidae
Translations
kestrel [ˈkestrəl] Ncernícalo m (vulgar)
kestrel [ˈkɛstrəl] nfaucon m crécerelle
kestrel
nTurmfalke m
kestrel [ˈkɛstrl] ngheppio
kestrel [ˈkɛstrl] ngheppio


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Had ye slain him it would have been an ill day for you, for Robin Hood would have harried your town as the kestrel harries the dovecote.
Of diversified habits innumerable instances could be given: I have often watched a tyrant flycatcher (Saurophagus sulphuratus) in South America, hovering over one spot and then proceeding to another, like a kestrel, and at other times standing stationary on the margin of water, and then dashing like a kingfisher at a fish.
There were sparrow hawks, with white breasts, and kestrels, and down the slopes scampered, with their long legs, several fine fat bustards.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.