Resembling or characteristic of a hawk; suggesting aggression, vigilance, or a preference for military action.
From 'hawk' + '-ish' (suffix meaning somewhat like or having qualities of). Used literally for hawk-like appearance since the 1600s, but gained political meaning in the 1950s-60s to describe aggressive foreign policy positions, contrasting with 'dovish.'
The terms 'hawkish' and 'dovish' in politics were deliberately chosen to echo the biblical symbolism of hawks as warriors and doves as peacemakers—two animal archetypes that cultures worldwide use to represent conflict and peace.
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