Definition

A male bird of prey, especially a hawk, that is trained for hunting.

Example

The falconer proudly displayed his tercel, ready for the hunt.

Conversation

Did you know that a tercel is a male hawk used in falconry?

Really? I had no idea that was the term for it.

Yeah, it's interesting how specific the terms can be in that sport.

Absolutely! I’d love to learn more about falconry someday.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Tercel** → The word 'tercel' originates from Old French *tercel*, which is derived from Latin *tertius* (meaning third). It originally referred to a male hawk, specifically the male of the peregrine falcon, as it was traditionally the third bird in a set of falcons used for hunting. The term reflects the historical practice of falconry where the male was often smaller than the female, hence the designation of 'third'.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'third' ('tertius') to remember that a 'tercel' is a male hawk, traditionally considered the third bird in falconry.

Visually Confused Words