ac·cip·i·ter
ak-ˈsi-pə-tər 
ik-
: any of a genus (Accipiter) of medium-sized forest-inhabiting hawks that have short broad wings and a long tail and a characteristic flight pattern of several quick flaps and a glide
ac·cip·i·trine
ak-ˈsi-pə-ˌtrīn
ik-
ik-
-trən
: of or relating to the genus Accipiter or to the typical hawks
the distinctive features of the accipitrine head
compare buteonine, cathartine
ac·cip·i·trine
ak-ˈsi-pə-ˌtrīn
ik-,
-trən
plural -s
Examples of accipiter in a Sentence
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Dave Taft, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2017
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Noun
All accipiters, including the sharp-shinned hawk, and its close relative the Cooper’s hawk, have distinctive flight patterns that are useful in identifying them, even at a distance.
—Dave Taft, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Accipiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accipiter. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
accipiter
noun
ac·cip·i·ter
ak-ˈsip-ət-ər
: any of various low-flying hawks that have short wings and long tails
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