buzzard

¹

[ buhz-erd ]

noun

1. any of several broad-winged, soaring hawks of the genus Buteo and allied genera, especially B. buteo, of Europe.
2. any of several New World vultures of the family Cathartidae, especially the turkey vulture.
3. Slang. a contemptible or cantankerous person (often preceded by old ):

   That old buzzard has lived in the same shack for twenty years.

adjective

1. Obsolete. senseless; stupid.

buzzard

²

[ buhz-erd ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. any of various nocturnal buzzing insects, as cockchafers.

buzzard

/ ˈbʌzəd /

noun

1. any diurnal bird of prey of the genus Buteo , typically having broad wings and tail and a soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) Compare honey buzzard turkey buzzard
2. a mean or cantankerous person

Other Words From

• buzzard·like adjective
• buzzard·ly adjective adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzzard¹

1250–1300; Middle English busard < Old French, variant of buisard, equivalent to buis ( on ) buzzard (< Latin būteōn-, stem of būteō kind of hawk) + -ard -ard

Origin of buzzard²

First recorded in 1645–55; buzz + -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of buzzard¹

C13: from Old French buisard , variant of buison buzzard, from Latin būteō hawk, falcon

Example Sentences

Department of Agriculture veterinarian epidemiologist, said there was probably very little risk to public health in having the animals piled up — even if they were picked at and consumed by buzzards, ravens and flies.

From Los Angeles Times

They called the police when they spotted buzzards at a nearby dump.

From New York Times

He added: "There are plenty of buzzards and kites here, but this bird was nothing like those."

From BBC

Those who have not aligned themselves with Moore have received a sharp admonishment from the senator, who recently called those colleagues "buzzard cowards," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

From Salon

“It was starting to come back down, and there was like a buzzard caught in it,” Copas said.

From Washington Times