SPARROWS
Noun
sparrows
plural of sparrow
Source: Wiktionary
SPARROW
Spar"row, n. Etym: [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG. sparo, G. sperling, Icel. spƶrr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw. sparf, Goth. sparwa; - - originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin.]
1. (Zoƶl.)
Definition: One of many species of small singing birds of the family FringilligƦ, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.
Note: The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see Peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc.
2. (Zoƶl.)
Definition: Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge. He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age! Shak. Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See under Field, Fox, etc.
– Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable.
– Sparrow hawk. (Zoƶl.) (a) A small European hawk (Accipiter nisus) or any of the allied species. (b) A small American falcon (Falco sparverius). (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk (Accipiter torquatus).
Note: The name is applied to other small hawks, as the European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk.
– Sparrow owl (Zoƶl.), a small owl (Glaucidium passerinum) found both in the Old World and the New. The name is also applied to other species of small owls.
– Sparrow spear (Zoƶl.), the female of the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
12 January 2025
HABIT
(noun) (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; āowls have nocturnal habitsā; āshe had a habit twirling the ends of her hairā; ālong use had hardened him to itā
Do you know this game?
Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins