Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » gyrfalcon
gyrfalcon
(jʉr′fôl′kən, -fô′kən; -fal′-)
noun
a large, fierce, strong falcon (Falco rusticolus) of the arctic regions
Origin: ME gerfaucoun < OFr girfaucon < Frank *gerfalko < *ger (OHG gir, hawk), lit., greedy (one) < IE base *ĝhī, *ĝhe- > gape + *falko, falcon
See gyrfalcon in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also ger·fal·con
noun A large falcon (Falco rusticolus) of Arctic regions, having color phases that range from black to gray to white.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English girfaucoun
Origin: , from Old French girfaut, gerfaucon
Origin: : Old High German gīr, vulture
Origin: + Old French faucon, falcon; see falcon
.Learn more about gyrfalcon
