What does accipitral mean?
Accipitral is a specialized English adjective meaning relating to or characteristic of hawks, and sometimes more broadly to hawk-like birds of prey. It appears chiefly in ornithological, taxonomic, and descriptive writing rather than everyday speech. Writers may refer to a bird's accipitral shape, an animal's accipitral characteristics, or differences between accipitral and non-accipitral forms. Although it is sometimes used near the broader meaning of raptorial, its strongest associations are with hawks. Unlike hawkish, which can suggest aggression or a belligerent political stance, accipitral is generally neutral and concerned with biological form or classification. The word comes through Latin from accipiter, the Latin term for a hawk, and belongs to the same naming tradition as accipitrine and accipitriform. It is worth knowing when reading detailed accounts of birds of prey, where anatomical and taxonomic precision is important.
adjectiveRelating to or characteristic of hawks or hawk-like birds of prey. The term is chiefly used in ornithology and zoology.
- Relating to or characteristic of hawks or hawk-like birds of prey.
"The researcher examined the raptor's accipitral structure under magnification."
"The eagle's accipitral silhouette was unmistakable against the pale sky."
"The ornithological atlas records the accipitral measurements of several species of raptor."
Accipitral reaches beyond hawks: the name of the bird family Accipitridae also encompasses eagles, kites, and other related raptors.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How accipitral is actually used
A rare, specialized term used mainly in ornithological, zoological, and taxonomic contexts. It is normally avoided in ordinary conversation.
Easily confused with accipitral
Accipitral means relating to hawks or hawk-like birds of prey, whereas accidental means unintended or done by chance.
Accipitral is a general adjective relating to hawks, while accipitrine more specifically relates to birds of the genus Accipiter.