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kes·trel

(kĕstrəl)

1. A small falcon (Falco sparverius) found throughout the Americas, having vertical black stripes under the eyes and characteristically hovering over fields to hunt. Also called sparrow hawk.

2. A small falcon (Falco tinnunculus) of Europe, Asia, and Africa that hovers when hunting and has reddish-brown plumage and a gray head.

3. Any of various similar falcons of the genus Falco that hover when hunting.

[Probably from obsolete French cresserelle, from Old French cresserele, probably from cresselle, clacker, kestrel.]

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kestrel

male American kestrel

Falco sparverius

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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