Accipitrary

/ækˈsɪpɪtəˌrɛri/ noun

Definition

The art or sport of falconry; the practice of training hawks for hunting.

Etymology

From accipiter (Latin 'accipiter' meaning 'hawk') plus -ary (suffix denoting practice or realm). Medieval falconry terminology preserved this learned term from Latin.

Kelly Says

This word encapsulates an entire medieval obsession: falconry was the sport of kings, and 'accipitrary'—the technical study of hawk training—was serious business, with elaborate rules about breeding, training, and hunting hierarchy.

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