tercel-ˈgentle
[f. tercel (q.v. for Forms), after falcon-gentle.]
The male of the falcon.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans D iij b, Ther is a Fawken gentill, and a Tercell gentill, and theys be for a prynce. 1546 Will of Brinckley (Somerset Ho.), Unto the vicar of Boston my tossell gentle. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. iv. 49 A Tassell gent, Which after her [a dove] his nimble winges doth straine. 1673 Hickeringill Greg. F. Greyb. 203 The tassil-gentle, once upon the wing..makes a stoop at a jack-daw. 1839 Longfellow Hyperion iv. i, Thou art not less a woman, because thou dost not sit aloft in a tower, with a tassel-gentle on thy wrist. |
b. in fig. and allusive use.
| 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. ii. 160 Hist Romeo hist, o for a falkners voyce, To lure this Tassel gentle back againe. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. ii. 95/2 So She..by casting out the Lure, makes the Tassell Gentle come to her fist. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Tercel-gentle, a Knight or Gentleman of a good Estate; also any rich Man. 1820 Scott Abbot iv, Marry, out upon thee, foul kite, that would fain be a tercel gentle! |