Lexic.us

Definition of Buzzard

1. Noun. A New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States.

Definition of Buzzard

1. n. A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera.

2. a. Senseless; stupid.

Definition of Buzzard

1. Noun. Any of several Old-World birds of prey with broad wings and a broad tail. ¹

2. Noun. In North America, a general term for scavenging birds such as the American black vulture, also called American black buzzard (''Coragyps atratus''), and the turkey vulture (''Cathartes aura''). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Buzzard

1. a large bird of prey [n -S]

Medical Definition of Buzzard

1. 1. A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera. The Buteo vulgaris is the common buzzard of Europe. The American species (of which the most common are B. Borealis, B. Pennsylvanicus, and B. Lineatus) are usually called hen hawks. The rough-legged buzzard, or bee hawk, of Europe (Pernis apivorus) feeds on bees and their larvae, with other insects, and reptiles. The moor buzzard of Europe is Circus aeruginosus. See Turkey buzzard, and Carrion buzzard. Bald buzzard, the fishhawk or osprey. See Fishhawk. 2. A blockhead; a dunce. "It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a buzzard." (Goldsmith) Origin: O.E. Busard, bosard, F. Busard, fr. Buse, L. Buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Buzzard

Literary usage of Buzzard

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Naturalist by American Society of Naturalists, Essex Institute (1871)
"Did the buzzard mistake the skunks' smell for putrefaction? ... First, that the Turkey buzzard selects its food by the sense of smell; and second, ..."

2. The Auk: Quarterly Journal of Ornithology by American Ornithologists' Union, Nuttall Ornithological Club (1920)
"WS Brook's 'The buzzard at Home.'1—This little brochure is entitled "British Birds Photographic Series" and is apparently the first of the series. ..."

3. Annals and Magazine of Natural History by William Jardine (1847)
"On the Habits of the Honey buzzard in Confinement. By GORDON Jos. FORSTER, Esq. The Honey buzzard now in my possession was wounded in the wing, ..."

4. Report of the Commissioners by Great Britain Royal Commission on Secondary Education (1895)
"Leighton buzzard is in an even worse case as regards (3-) Boys' secondary ... A buzzard.1 private philanthropist in the town has, however, organised for ..."

5. Birds that Hunt and are Hunted: Life Histories of One Hundred and Seventy by Neltje Blanchan (1904)
"The turkey buzzard shows a decided preference for warm latitudes, never nesting farther north than New Jersey on the Atlantic coast, though, ..."

Other Resources: