from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Song \Song\ (s[o^]ng; 115), n. [AS. song, sang, fr. singan to
sing; akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. s["o]ngr, Goth. saggws.
See {Sing}.]
1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of
the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect,
etc. "That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of
crickets." --Hawthorne.
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2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
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3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.
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The bard that first adorned our native tongue
Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song.
--Dryden.
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4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
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This subject for heroic song. --Milton.
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5. An object of derision; a laughingstock.
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And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
--Job xxx. 9.
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6. A trifle; an insignificant sum of money; as, he bought it
for a song. "The soldier's pay is a song." --Silliman.
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{Old song}, a trifle; nothing of value. "I do not intend to
be thus put off with an old song." --Dr. H. More.
{Song bird} (Zool.), any singing bird; one of the {Oscines}.
{Song sparrow} (Zool.), a very common North American sparrow
({Melospiza fasciata}, or {Melospiza melodia}) noted for
the sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is
covered with dusky brown streaks which form a blotch in
the center.
{Song thrush} (Zool.), a common European thrush ({Turdus
musicus}), noted for its melodius song; -- called also
{mavis}, {throstle}, and {thrasher}.
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Syn: Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn;
descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sparrow \Spar"row\, n. [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG.
sparo, G. sperling, Icel. sp["o]rr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw.
sparf, Goth. sparwa; -- originally, probably, the quiverer or
flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See {Spurn}, and cf.
{Spavin}.]
1. (Zool.) One of many species of small singing birds of the
family {Fringilligae}, 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}.
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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.
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2. (Zool.) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat
resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the
European hedge sparrow. See under {Hedge}.
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He that doth the ravens feed,
Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
Be comfort to my age! --Shak.
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{Field sparrow}, {Fox sparrow}, etc. See under {Field},
{Fox}, etc.
{Sparrow bill}, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a
sparable.
{Sparrow hawk}. (Zool.)
(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} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), the female of the reed bunting.
[Prov. Eng.]
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