Falcon \Fal"con\, n. [OE. faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon, ?. faucon, fr. LL. falco, perh. from L. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf. Falchion.]

1. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) One of a family (Falconid[ae]) of raptorial birds, characterized by a short, hooked beak, strong claws, and powerful flight.
   (b) Any species of the genus Falco, distinguished by having a toothlike lobe on the upper mandible; especially, one of this genus trained to the pursuit of other birds, or game.

In the language of falconry, the female peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is exclusively called the falcon. --Yarrell.

2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon.

Chanting falcon. (Zo["o]l.) See under Chanting.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)