Also 5 falcon gent. [After F. faucon gentil.] A name applied to the female and young of the Goshawk (Astur palumbarius).
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 147. As a gentil faucon soreth.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xxii. 238. Gerfacouns, sparehaukes, faukons gentyls.
c. 1435. Torrent of Portugal, 479.
To Torrent trew ase stylle, | |
Yf he love Desonelle wylle, | |
Get her a facon jent. |
1486. Bk. St. Albans, D iij b. Ther is a Fawken gentill and a Tercell gentill.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., XIII. 136.
As firm as fast | |
She plyd her course yet: nor her winged speed | |
The falcon-gentle could for pace exceed. |
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1862), I. II. iii. 314. The falcon gentle, with which, when properly trained, they go forth on horseback.