sparrow

sparrow
    n 1: any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on
         seeds or insects [syn: {sparrow}, {true sparrow}]
    2: small brownish European songbird [syn: {hedge sparrow},
       {sparrow}, {dunnock}, {Prunella modularis}]
    

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}.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
         [1913 Webster]

   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}.
      [1913 Webster]

            He that doth the ravens feed,
            Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
            Be comfort to my age!                 --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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.]
      [1913 Webster]
    

Sparrow
Mentioned among the offerings made by the very poor. Two
sparrows were sold for a farthing (Matt. 10:29), and five for
two farthings (Luke 12:6). The Hebrew word thus rendered is
_tsippor_, which properly denotes the whole family of small
birds which feed on grain (Lev. 14:4; Ps. 84:3; 102:7). The
Greek word of the New Testament is _strouthion_ (Matt.
10:29-31), which is thus correctly rendered.