From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Falcon \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. (Zool.)
(a) One of a family (Falconid[ae]) 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.
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In the language of falconry, the female
peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is exclusively
called the falcon. --Yarrell.
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2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon.
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Chanting falcon. (Zool.) See under Chanting.
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