Nighthawking

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈnaɪthɔːkɪŋ/

Definitions of nighthawking

noun the act of searching for historical artifacts at night with a metal detector, typically without permission

Example Sentences

A1 Nighthawking is the act of illegally searching for archaeological artifacts at night.

A2 The police caught a group of nighthawkers digging in the protected site.

B1 Nighthawking has become a serious problem for preserving historical sites.

B2 Archaeologists are working with law enforcement to stop nighthawking activities.

C1 The government implemented stricter penalties for those caught nighthawking.

C2 Nighthawking not only damages historical sites but also erases important cultural heritage.

verb to engage in the act of searching for historical artifacts at night with a metal detector, typically without permission

Example Sentences

A1 I saw someone nighthawking in the park last night.

A2 The police caught a group of people nighthawking at the archaeological site.

B1 Nighthawking is a serious crime that can result in heavy fines.

B2 The government has implemented stricter measures to prevent nighthawking at historical sites.

C1 Some individuals engage in nighthawking as a way to profit from stolen artifacts.

C2 Archaeologists are constantly working to combat the illegal practice of nighthawking.

Examples of nighthawking in a Sentence

formal Nighthawking is the illegal act of searching for and stealing archaeological artifacts under the cover of darkness.

informal I heard some people were nighthawking in the old ruins last night.

slang Those nighthawkers better watch out for the authorities.

figurative The thief operated like a nighthawker, sneaking in and out without being detected.

Grammatical Forms of nighthawking

past tense

nighthawked

plural

nighthawkers

comparative

more nighthawking

superlative

most nighthawking

present tense

nighthawk

future tense

will nighthawk

perfect tense

have nighthawked

continuous tense

is nighthawking

singular

nighthawker

positive degree

nighthawking

infinitive

to nighthawk

gerund

nighthawking

participle

nighthawked

Origin and Evolution of nighthawking

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'nighthawking' originated in England during the medieval period.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe the illegal activity of searching for archaeological artifacts at night with metal detectors, 'nighthawking' has evolved to also refer to illegal metal detecting in general, often associated with looting and damaging historical sites.