Forms: 5 eyes, 6–7 yas, 6–9 eyess(e, 7 eyasse, (eyeass, iiaes), 7– eyas. [Altered form of NYAS, a. Fr. niais (= Pr. nizaic, It. nidiace):—L. *nīd(i)āc-em, f. nīdus nest. The dropping of initial n was due to an erroneous division of a nyas (cf. a nadder s.v. ADDER); the spelling eyas was suggested by popular association with ME. ey = EGG and eyry; also with eye (see quots.).]
1. A young hawk taken from the nest for the purpose of training, or one whose training is incomplete.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, B ij a. An hawke is calde an eyes of hir eyghen.
1575. Turberv., Bk. Falconrie, 31. The firste name and terme that they bestowe on a falcon is an eyasse and this name dothe laste as long as she is in the eyrie.
1629. Massinger, Picture, V. i. (1630), M. So hoe birdes, how the eyasses scratch and scramble.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 236/2. An Eyesse is … a young Hawk, as long as she is in the Eyrie.
1820. Scott, Abbot, iv. Is it thus you feed the eyas with unwashed meat?
1869. Lowell, Cathedr., Wks. (1879), 443. As when, an eyas, he followed his high heart To swim on sunshine.
1875. ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Sports, I. IV. i. § 6. 296. This is very easy with the eyess or brancher.
fig. 1602. Shaks., Ham., II. ii. 355. An ayrie of Children, little Yases, that crye out on the top of question.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Woman’s Prize, I. ii. Hang these tame-hearted Eyasses.
1890. Saintsbury, Hist. Elizabeth. Lit., xi. 426. One of the little eyasses who competed with regular actors.
2. attrib., as eyas-falcon, -hawk; in sense ‘unfledged, youthful’ as eyas-thoughts, -wings. Also eyas-musket (see MUSKET), used jocularly for a sprightly child.
1596. Spenser, Hymns, Heavenly Love, 24. Ere flitting Time could wag his eyas wings.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. iii. 22. How now my eyas-Musket what newes with you?
1606. Chapman, Marlowe’s Hero & Leander, IV. To still their eyas thoughts with industry.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countrey Farme, 708. Howsoeuer the care of holding or keeping your hawke fall vnto you, may intice you to esteeme the Iiaes hawke.
a. 1653. G. Daniel, Idyll, iv. 28. Our Eyeass Life Complaines vnpittied.
1826. Sir J. S. Sebright, Observ. Hawking (1828), 26. Magpies may be flown with eyess slight falcons.
