Lexic.us

Definition of Sparrow

1. Noun. Any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects.

Definition of Sparrow

1. n. One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligæ, 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.

Definition of Sparrow

1. Noun. The house sparrow, ''Passer domesticus''; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers. ¹

2. Noun. A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds. ¹

3. Noun. A member of the family Emberizidae, comprising small New World songbirds. ¹

4. Noun. Generically, any small, nondescript bird. ¹

5. Noun. (UK especially London) A quick-witted, lively person. Often used in the phrase ''cockney sparrow''. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sparrow

1. a small bird [n -S]

Medical Definition of Sparrow

1. 1. 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. 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. 2. Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See Hedge. "He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age!" (Shak) Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See Field, Fox, etc. Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. Sparrow hawk. The female of the reed bunting. Origin: OE. Sparwe, AS. Spearwa; akin to OHG. Sparo, G. Sperling, Icel. Sporr, Dan. Spurv, spurre, Sw. Sparf, Goth. Sparwa; originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. Spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sparrow

Literary usage of Sparrow

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Color Key to North American Birds: With Bibliographical Appendix by Frank Michler Chapman, Chester Albert Reed (1912)
"581 i San Clemente Song sparrow 581; Dakota Song sparrow ... Song sparrow SCIENTIFIC NAME. PAGE Junco hyemalis mearnsi 240 annectens 303 " " townsendi 240 ..."

2. The Auk: Quarterly Journal of Ornithology by American Ornithologists' Union, Nuttall Ornithological Club (1915)
"Song sparrow sang once at 3.24, then was silent till 3.5S, when it began to sing ... V Song sparrow sang at 3.20 and again at 3.27, and began frequent ..."

3. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"The white-crowned sparrow (.Zonotrichia leucophrys) is about seven inches long, the body stout, and the tail rather long and moderately rounded; the chin, ..."

4. North American Birds Eggs by Chester Albert Reed (1904)
"This variety is paler than the Song sparrow but darker than ialla.r. ... Practically indistinguishable from the common Song sparrow; the eggs will not ..."

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