Gyr'fal-con, n.

noun

(jēr'faw-kn), n. [O. Fr. gerfault, N. Fr. gerfaut, Pr. girfalc, Sp. geriofalco, geriofalte, gerfalte, Pg. gerifalte, It. girfalco, gerfalco, L. Lat. gyrofalco, gyrofalCus, a gyrando, from its circling around before descending on the prey; whence also Ger. geierfalk.] (Ornith.) The peregrine falcon, or Falco gyrfalco. See FAL-CON. Schlegel. [Written also gerfalcon.]

An engraved illustration of a gyrfalcon perched on a branch. — Gyrfalcon.