chickenhawk

See also: chicken hawk

English

Etymology

chicken +‎ hawk. The political sense is derived from figurative meanings of "chicken" (coward) and "hawk" (militarist).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪnˌhɔk/

Noun

chickenhawk (plural chickenhawks)

  1. (US politics, derogatory) A draft-dodger, especially in the Vietnam War, who nonetheless currently supports United States overseas military engagements.
  2. Any of three species of bird: the Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk and the red-tailed hawk.
  3. (derogatory, slang) A sexual predator: an older, usually more powerful man who preys on adolescent boys for sex.
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