Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Of or pertaining to the swallow; swallow-like; specifically, pertaining to the Hirundinidæ.
- noun A swallow; one of the Hirundinidæ.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the swallows.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective pertaining to a
swallow - noun a member of the
swallow family
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
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Examples
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We all rejoice that you have fixed the precise time of your coming to be cum hirundine prima; which we modern naturalists pronounce, ought to be reckoned, contrary to Pliny, in this northern latitude of fifty-two degrees, from the end of February, Styl.
Selected English Letters Various 1913
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Were the stragglers which I had for some time been watching, flying high, but well within easy ken, and these dense, hardly discernible clusters -- hirundine nebulæ, as it were -- were all these but parts of one innumerable host, the main body of which was passing far above me altogether unseen?
The Foot-path Way Bradford Torrey 1877
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Helpers appear next day; and swashing to and fro, with animated, loud, long-drawn chirpings, and activity almost super-hirundine, complete it again before nightfall?
Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History Thomas Carlyle 1838
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J FIND that you have laid aside your project of building in Ireland, and that we shall see you in this island cum xephyrisf et hirundine prima* I know not whether the love of fame increases as we advance in age; sure I am that the force of friendship does.
The works of Alexander Pope. With a selection of explanatory notes, and the account of his life ... 1812
sionnach commented on the word hirundine
of, like or pertaining to swallows
November 5, 2007
jaime_d commented on the word hirundine
from Carlyle's "Sartor Resartus"
January 11, 2009
qms commented on the word hirundine
We have a topical Word of the Day! The feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, is the traditional day for the return of the swallows to the mission at Capistrano.
All Capistrano awaits the sign
The year ahead will be benign.
On Saint Joseph's day
Even heathens pray
For blessed visits hirundine.
March 19, 2014