2 definitions found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: 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] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Finch \Finch\ (f[i^]nch), n.; pl. {Finches} (f[i^]nch"[e^]z). [AS. finc; akin to D. vink, OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.] (Zool.) A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to the family {Fringillid[ae]}. [1913 Webster] Note: The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch, goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc. [1913 Webster] {Bramble finch}. See {Brambling}. {Canary finch}, the canary bird. {Copper finch}. See {Chaffinch}. {Diamond finch}. See under {Diamond}. {Finch falcon} (Zool.), one of several very small East Indian falcons of the genus {Hierax}. {To pull a finch}, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting person. [Obs.] "Privily a finch eke could he pull." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
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