kite falcon

1 definition found

kite falcon - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Kite \Kite\ (k[imac]t), n. [OE. kyte, AS. c[=y]ta; cf. W. cud,
     cut.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Zool.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvin[ae],
        of which many species are known. They have long wings,
        adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The European species are Milvus ictinus and Milvus migrans
           ; the pariah kite of India is Milvus govinda;
           the sacred or Brahmany kite of India is Haliastur Indus
           ; the American fork-tailed kite is the Nauclerus furcatus
           .
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Fig.: One who is rapacious.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Detested kite, thou liest.            --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper
        or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Naut.) A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Geom.) A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis
        of symmetry. --Henrici.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to
        sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in
        bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of
        goods; an accommodation check or bill. [Cant]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. (Zool.) The brill. [Prov. Eng.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     8. (Naut.) A form of drag to be towed under water at any
        depth up to about forty fathoms, which on striking bottom
        is upset and rises to the surface; -- called also
        sentry.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     Flying kites. (Naut.) See under Flying.
  
     Kite falcon (Zool.), an African falcon of the genus
        Avicida, having some resemblance to a kite.
        [1913 Webster]