from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin
to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala,
Dan. svale.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of
the family {Hirundinidae}, especially one of those species
in which the tail is deeply forked. They have long,
pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and
gracefulness of their flight.
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Note: The most common North American species are the barn
swallow (see under {Barn}), the cliff, or eaves,
swallow (see under {Cliff}), the white-bellied, or
tree, swallow ({Tachycineta bicolor}), and the bank
swallow (see under {Bank}). The common European swallow
({Chelidon rustica}), and the window swallow, or martin
({Chelidon urbica}), are familiar species.
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2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which
resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the
common American chimney swallow, or swift.
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3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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{Swallow plover} (Zool.), any one of several species of
fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus {Glareola}, as
{Glareola orientalis} of India; a pratincole.
{Swallow shrike} (Zool.), any one of several species of East
Indian and Asiatic birds of the family {Artamiidae},
allied to the shrikes but similar to swallows in
appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike ({Artamus
fuscus}) is common in India.
{Swallow warbler} (Zool.), any one of numerous species of
East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
{Dicaeum}. They are allied to the honeysuckers.
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