hawk
/hɔːk/ (bre, ipa) · /hɔːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhȯk/ (ame, mw) · /hɑːk/ (ame, ipa)
hawk — noun
1. A large wild bird that hunts and eats small animals and other birds. It has very
A large wild bird that hunts and eats small animals and other birds. It has very sharp eyesight, a short curved beak, and strong claws for catching its prey.
A hawk circled high above the field, watching for movement in the grass.
typical scene: hunting from above
Mei-Lin spotted a hawk sitting on the power line near her school.
The farmer put up a scarecrow to keep hawks away from his chickens.
With its sharp eyes, the hawk could see a mouse from half a kilometre away.
A large hawk swooped down from the tree and grabbed a snake in its claws.
2. Someone — often in politics — who argues that using armed force is the right way
Someone — often in politics — who argues that using armed force is the right way to settle disagreements between countries, instead of talking or negotiating.
The party's hawks called for a stronger military response to the border dispute.
political context: military vs diplomacy
Sivan argued that the hawks in congress were pushing the country toward an unnecessary war.
Negotiations failed partly because the hawks on both sides refused to give ground.
The president was seen as a hawk on defence but a moderate on trade issues.
- hardliner
someone who refuses to compromise on any policy, not limited to military matters
- militarist
someone who believes a strong military is the most important national priority
- warmonger
a more negative word for someone who actively wants war
用法筆記
Often contrasted with dove, which describes someone who favours peace and negotiation over military action.
常見錯誤
hawk — verb
1. To sell something in a public place such as a street or market, often by calling
To sell something in a public place such as a street or market, often by calling out loudly to attract buyers.
Street vendors hawked fresh fruit and vegetables from wooden carts at the corner market.
hawk + goods + at/in/on + place
Renata spent the summer hawking handmade jewellery to tourists on the beach.
A young man stood at the entrance hawking tickets for the evening concert.
The fish seller hawked his catch in a loud voice so everyone could hear.
文法句型
hawk + goods
hawk + goods + in/at/on + place
hawk for + price
常見錯誤
2. To hunt wild animals or birds using a trained hawk or other bird of prey, a trad
To hunt wild animals or birds using a trained hawk or other bird of prey, a traditional outdoor sport known as falconry.
The noble family used to hawk in the forests around their castle every autumn.
historical context: traditional sport
Aylin learnt to hawk from her grandfather, who kept three trained falcons.
In some parts of Central Asia, people still hawk for food rather than for sport.
The group went hawking at dawn, each rider carrying a hooded bird on their arm.
- falcon
a related verb used when the trained bird is specifically a falcon rather than a hawk
文法句型
go hawking
hawk for + prey
用法筆記
The formal name for this activity is falconry. The verb is most commonly used in the form go hawking.
常見錯誤
3. To make a rough, loud sound when trying to clear mucus or an obstruction from yo
To make a rough, loud sound when trying to clear mucus or an obstruction from your throat, sometimes followed by spitting.
The old man hawked loudly and spat into his handkerchief.
informal: hawked and spat sequence
Harper hawked several times during the lecture, distracting the students sitting nearby.
After running in cold air for an hour, Christopher stood hawking at the finish line.
The doctor told him to stop hawking and drink warm water to soothe his throat.
- clear one's throat
more polite and general; does not imply a loud or rough sound
- cough up
focuses on bringing phlegm up from the chest rather than the throat
文法句型
hawk + adverb (loudly, noisily)
hawk and spit