[f. TERCEL (q.v. for Forms), after FALCON-GENTLE.] The male of the falcon.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, D iij b. Ther is a Fawken gentill, and a Tercell gentill, and they be for a prynce.
1546. Will of Brinckley (Somerset Ho.). Unto the vicar of Boston my tossell gentle.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. iv. 49. A Tassell gent, Which after her [a dove] his nimble winges doth straine.
1673. Hickeringill, Greg. F. Greyb., 203. The tassil-gentle, once upon the wing … makes a stoop at a jack-daw.
1839. Longf., Hyperion, IV. i. Thou art not less a woman, because thou dost not sit aloft in a tower, with a tassel-gentle on thy wrist.
b. in fig. and allusive use.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. ii. 160. Hist Romeo hist, o for a falkners voyce, To lure this Tassel gentle back againe.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., II. 95/2. So She … by casting out the Lure, makes the Tassell Gentle come to her fist.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Tercel-gentle, a Knight or Gentleman of a good Estate; also any rich Man.
1820. Scott, Abbot, iv. Marry, out upon thee, foul kite, that would fain be a tercel gentle!
