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hawk moth definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any of various moths with long narrow forewings capable of powerful flight and hovering over flowers to feed [syn: hawkmoth, hawk moth, sphingid, sphinx moth, hummingbird moth]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1785 any of a family (Sphingidae) of stout-bodied moths with a long proboscis, long narrow more or less pointed forewings, and small hind wings — called also sphinx

Britannica Concise

Any moth of the lepidopteran family Sphingidae. Found worldwide, these stout-bodied moths have long, narrow forewings and shorter hind wings, with wingspans ranging from 2 to 8 in. (5-20 cm). Many species pollinate flowers while sucking nectar; the proboscis of some species is up to 13 in. (32.5 cm) long. Some hawk moths migrate. The larvae, which are smooth and have a dorsal "horn," are called hornworms; larvae of two N. Amer. species--the tobacco, or southern, hornworm, and the tomato, or northern, hornworm--attack tomato, tobacco, and potato crops.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. --Shelley. (b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman. Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in B[oe]otia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by [OE]dipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. ``Subtle as sphinx.'' --Shak. 2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. 3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingid[ae]; -- called also hawk moth. Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name. 4. (Zo["o]l.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zo["o]l.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. Sphinx moth. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hawk Hawk, n. [OE. hauk (prob. fr. Icel.), havek, AS. hafoc, heafoc; akin to D. havik, OHG. habuh, G. habicht, Icel. haukr, Sw. h["o]k, Dan. h["o]g, prob. from the root of E. heave.] (Zo["o]l.) One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconid[ae]. They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons. In a more general sense the word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk. Note: Among the common American species are the red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis); the red-shouldered (B. lineatus); the broad-winged (B. Pennsylvanicus); the rough-legged (Archibuteo lagopus); the sharp-shinned Accipiter fuscus). See Fishhawk, Goshawk, Marsh hawk, under Marsh, Night hawk, under Night. Bee hawk (Zo["o]l.), the honey buzzard. Eagle hawk. See under Eagle. Hawk eagle (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic bird of the genus Spiz[ae]tus, or Limn[ae]tus, intermediate between the hawks and eagles. There are several species. Hawk fly (Zo["o]l.), a voracious fly of the family Asilid[ae]. See Hornet fly, under Hornet. Hawk moth. (Zo["o]l.) See Hawk moth, in the Vocabulary. Hawk owl. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A northern owl (Surnia ulula) of Europe and America. It flies by day, and in some respects resembles the hawks. (b) An owl of India (Ninox scutellatus). Hawk's bill (Horology), the pawl for the rack, in the striking mechanism of a clock.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hawk moth Hawk" moth` (?; 115). (Zo["o]l.) Any moth of the family Sphingid[ae], of which there are numerous genera and species. They are large, handsome moths, which fly mostly at twilight and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking the honey by means of a long, slender proboscis. The larv[ae] are large, hairless caterpillars ornamented with green and other bright colors, and often with a caudal spine. See Sphinx, also Tobacco worm, and Tomato worm. Tobacco Hawk Moth (Macrosila Carolina), and its Larva, the Tobacco Worm. Note: The larv[ae] of several species of hawk moths feed on grapevines. The elm-tree hawk moth is Ceratomia Amyntor.