‖n. [ Native name. ] (Zool.) A viverrine mammal of Madagascar (Eupleres Goudotii), allied to the civet; -- called also Falanouc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., ultimately fr. L. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe. ] (Man.) The action of a horse, when he throws himself on his haunches two or three times, bending himself, as it were, in very quick curvets. Harris. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. falcatus, fr. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe. ] Hooked or bent like a sickle; as, a falcate leaf; a falcate claw; -- said also of the moon, or a planet, when horned or crescent-formed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being falcate; a bend in the form of a sickle. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From L. falx, falcis, a sickle. ] (Zool.) One of the mandibles of a spider. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. fauchon, OF. fauchon, LL. fälcio, fr. L. falx, falcis, a sickle, cf. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; a ship's rib, &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; bandy-legged; perh, akin to E. falcon; cf. It. falcione. Cf. Defalcation. ] 1. A broad-bladed sword, slightly curved, shorter and lighter than the ordinary sword; -- used in the Middle Ages. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A name given generally and poetically to a sword, especially to the swords of Oriental and fabled warriors. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Falcidius. ] Of or pertaining to Publius Falcidius, a Roman tribune. [ 1913 Webster ]

Falcidian law (Civil Law), a law by which a testator was obliged to leave at least a fourth of his estate to the heir. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. falx, falcis, a sickle + -form: cf. F. falciforme. ] Having the shape of a scithe or sickle; resembling a reaping hook; as, the falciform ligatment of the liver. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. faucon, faucoun, OF. faucon, falcon, &unr_;. faucon, fr. LL. falco, perh. from L. falx, falcis, a sickle or scythe, and named from its curving talons. Cf. Falchion. ] 1. (Zool.) (a) One of a family (Falconidæ) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the language of falconry, the female peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is exclusively called the falcon. Yarrell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gun.) An ancient form of cannon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chanting falcon. (Zool.) See under Chanting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. fauconer, OF. falconier, fauconier, F. fauconnier. See Falcon. ] A person who breeds or trains hawks for taking birds or game; one who follows the sport of fowling with hawks. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]