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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†GORHAWK, n. A species of hawk. Also gorehawk (Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan I. iii.).Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan I. viii.:
Hovering, as the Scots saying has it, between gowk and gorhawk [of a slightly deranged person].Ayr. a.1878 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage (1892) 189:
The Troker heard the body's yaup, As gorhawks listen to a whaup.

[For the first element, cf. Gor-cock and Gormaw.]

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