from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Swift \Swift\, n.
1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
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2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged,
insectivorous birds of the family {Micropodidae}. In form
and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are
destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing
birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to
the humming birds.
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Note: The common European swift ({Cypselus apus} syn.
{Micropus apus}) nests in church steeples and under the
tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and
shrill screams. It is called also {black martin},
{black swift}, {hawk swallow}, {devil bird},
{swingdevil}, {screech martin}, and {shriek owl}. The
common American, or chimney, swift ({Chaetura
pelagica}) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers.
It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys,
and is called also {chimney swallow}. The Australian
swift ({Chaetura caudacuta}) also has sharp naked tips
to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift
({Cypselus melba}) is whitish beneath, with a white
band across the breast. The common Indian swift is
{Cypselus affinis}. See also {Palm swift}, under
{Palm}, and {Tree swift}, under {Tree}.
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3. (Zool.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine
lizard.
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4. (Zool.) The ghost moth. See under {Ghost}.
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5. [Cf. {Swivel}.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
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6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chimney \Chim"ney\, n.; pl. {Chimneys}. [F. chemin['e]e, LL.
caminata, fr. L. caminus furnace, fireplace, Gr. ? furnace,
oven.]
1. A fireplace or hearth. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
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2. That part of a building which contains the smoke flues;
esp. an upright tube or flue of brick or stone, in most
cases extending through or above the roof of the building.
Often used instead of chimney shaft.
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Hard by a cottage chimney smokes. --Milton.
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3. A tube usually of glass, placed around a flame, as of a
lamp, to create a draft, and promote combustion.
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4. (Min.) A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending
downward in a vein. --Raymond.
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{Chimney board}, a board or screen used to close a fireplace;
a fireboard.
{Chimney cap}, a device to improve the draught of a chimney,
by presenting an exit aperture always to leeward.
{Chimney corner}, the space between the sides of the
fireplace and the fire; hence, the fireside.
{Chimney hook}, a hook for holding pats and kettles over a
fire,
{Chimney money}, hearth money, a duty formerly paid in
England for each chimney.
{Chimney pot} (Arch.), a cylinder of earthenware or sheet
metal placed at the top of a chimney which rises above the
roof.
{Chimney swallow}. (Zool.)
(a) An American swift ({Ch[ae]ture pelasgica}) which lives
in chimneys.
(b) In England, the common swallow ({Hirundo rustica}).
{Chimney sweep}, {Chimney sweeper}, one who cleans chimneys
of soot; esp. a boy who climbs the flue, and brushes off
the soot.
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