kestrel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small falcon that often hovers while hunting, especially the common kestrel or American kestrel

   A kestrel hovered over the field before diving toward its prey.

From Middle English castrel, through Old French forms such as crecerelle. The deeper origin is uncertain, though the French name has often been associated with a word for a rattle, perhaps in reference to the bird's call.

Topics