subs. phr. (old colloquial).—‘A Knight or Gentleman of a good estate; also any rich Man’ (B. E.). Also TASSEL-GENTLE [Tercel (COTGRAVE and RANDLE HOLMES) = the male of the peregrine falcon.] Hence FALCON ’GAINST TERCEL (or AS TERCEL) = ‘One’s as good as t’other.’

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  1595.  SHAKESPEARE, Romeo and Juliet, ii. 2. 160.

          Jul.  Hist! Romeo, hist!—O! for a falconer’s voice,
To lure this TASSEL-GENTLE back again!
    Ibid. (1602), Troilus and Cressida, iii. 2. 56.
  The FALCON AS THE TERCEL for all the ducks i’ the river.

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  1820.  SCOTT, The Abbot, iv. I marvel what blood thou art—neither Englander nor Scot—fish nor flesh. Marry, out upon thee, foul kite, that would fain be a TERCEL-GENTLE!

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