Definition of: falcon

(fôl′kən, fô′-, fal′-) noun
1. A diurnal bird of prey (genus Falco) used by falconers; especially, the peregrine falcon (F. peregrinus), with long, pointed wings, the hobby, merlin, or gerfalcon.
2. A falconine bird, whether used in falconry or not, having the upper mandible toothed, and circular nostrils, as a kestrel, duck hawk, prairie falcon (F. mexicanus), or sparrow hawk.
3. A small cannon of the 15th–17th centuries, firing a shot of around six pounds. [<OF faucon, falcun <LL falco, -onis <L falx, falcis a sickle]