falconet

American  

[fawl-kuh-net, fal-, faw-kuh-] / ˈfɔl kəˌnɛt, ˈfæl-, ˈfɔ kə- /

noun

1. any of several small Asian falcons, especially of the genus Microhierax.

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falconet British  

/ ˈfɔːkə-, ˈfɔːlkəˌnɛt /

noun

1. any of various small falcons, esp any of the Asiatic genus Microhierax

2. a small light cannon used from the 15th to 17th centuries

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Etymology

Origin of falconet

First recorded in 1850–55; falcon + -et

Example Sentences

He was always a good shot with a falconet or a mortar-piece.

From Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

"Nay, but we started as balls shot from a falconet."

From Dreamers of the Ghetto by Zangwill, Israel

How vivo affected aiming is easily seen: with its bore level, a 4-pounder falconet ranged 250 paces.

From Artillery Through the Ages A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America by Manucy, Albert

As the fierce falcon hawk gave its name to the falcon and falconet, so the saker was named for the saker hawk; rabinet, meaning "rooster," was therefore a suitable name for the falcon's small-bore cousin.

From Artillery Through the Ages A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America by Manucy, Albert

The term falcon is by sportsmen restricted to the female, the male, which is smaller and less courageous, being called tiercel, tersel, tercelet, or falconet.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various