buzzard

1
[ buhz-erd ]
/ ˈbʌz ərd /

noun

any of several broad-winged, soaring hawks of the genus Buteo and allied genera, especially B. buteo, of Europe.
any of several New World vultures of the family Cathartidae, especially the turkey vulture.
Slang. a contemptible or cantankerous person (often preceded by old): That old buzzard has lived in the same shack for twenty years.

adjective

Obsolete. senseless; stupid.

Origin of buzzard

1
1250–1300; Middle English busard < Old French, variant of buisard, equivalent to buis(on) buzzard (< Latin būteōn-, stem of būteō kind of hawk) + -ard -ard

OTHER WORDS FROM buzzard

buz·zard·like, adjective buz·zard·ly, adjective, adverb

Definition for buzzard (2 of 2)

buzzard 2
[ buhz-erd ]
/ ˈbʌz ərd /

noun British Dialect.

any of various nocturnal buzzing insects, as cockchafers.

Origin of buzzard

2
First recorded in 1645–55; buzz1 + -ard

Example sentences from the Web for buzzard

British Dictionary definitions for buzzard

buzzard
/ (ˈbʌzəd) /

noun

any diurnal bird of prey of the genus Buteo, typically having broad wings and tail and a soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) Compare honey buzzard, turkey buzzard
a mean or cantankerous person

Word Origin for buzzard

C13: from Old French buisard, variant of buison buzzard, from Latin būteō hawk, falcon