Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F.
busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to
the genus Buteo and related genera.
Note: 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 larv[ae], with other insects, and
reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is Circus
[ae]ruginosus. 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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