The Collaborative International Dictionary
Hornet \Hor"net\, n. [AS. hyrnet; akin to OHG. hornaz, hornuz, G. horniss; perh. akin to E. horn, and named from the sound it makes as if blowing the horn; but more prob. akin to D. horzel, Lith. szirszone, L. crabo.] (Zo["o]l.) A large, strong wasp. The European species ( Vespa crabro) is of a dark brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious, and its sting is very severe. Its nest is constructed of a paperlike material, and the layers of comb are hung together by columns. The American white-faced hornet ( Vespa maculata) is larger and has similar habits.
Hornet fly (Zo["o]l.), any dipterous insect of the genus Asilus, and allied genera, of which there are numerous species. They are large and fierce flies which capture bees and other insects, often larger than themselves, and suck their blood. Called also hawk fly, robber fly.
To stir up a hornet's nest, to provoke the attack of a swarm of spiteful enemies or spirited critics. [Colloq.]
Usage examples of "hawk fly".
She watched a desert hawk fly toward the sun-drenched horizon, flapping its wings with slow power.
As he watched the frustrated hawk fly away, rising on thermals to where it could survey the desert for any movement, Liet-Kynes wondered if the muad'dib had escaped by accident, or if it had been crafty enough to take advantage of its circumstances.
They watched the hawk fly to the cover of the pine grove and disappear among the trees.
I saw a hawk fly across the ceiling, narrowly avoiding the fan blades.