n. [ See Castrel. ] (Zool.) A small, slender European hawk (Falco alaudarius), allied to the sparrow hawk. Its color is reddish fawn, streaked and spotted with white and black. Also called
☞ This word is often used in contempt, as of a mean kind of hawk. “Kites and kestrels have a resemblance with hawks.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]