Also 7 fau(l)conet. [In sense 1 ad. It. falconetto in same sense (= Sp. falconete; cf. Fr. fauconneau), dim. of falcone FALCON; in sense 2 f. FALCON + -ET.]
1. A light piece of ordnance of various calibers, used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
1559. Naval Report, in Froude, Hist. Eng. (1881), VI. 168 (Culverins) minions (and) falconets.
a. 1642. Sir W. Monson, Naval Tracts, III. (1704), 343/2. A Faulconet. The Bore 2 inches. The Weight 500 lb.
1647. Nye, Gunnery, 78. Fauconets. The mouth of the peece is 2 inches and a quarter high … the weight of the shot one pound 5 ounces.
1645. N. Stone, Enchir. Fortification, 54. A Falconet … carries a 6 pound ball.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. x. 108. Planting little Falconets on the top of our Walls in Swivels.
1864. J. H. Burton, The Scot Abroad, II. ii. 142. With a wall in ruins, a moat nearly filled up, and only a couple of falconets, or two-pounders, as their whole artillery, they were surrounded by Tilly’s army, provided with a perfect battering-ram.
2. A species of Shrike (order Passerinæ).
1851. Cuvier’s Anim. Kingd., 180. The Crested Falconet (Lanius frontatus) … inhabits New Holland. Ibid., The falconets have a compressed beak almost as high as long.
