[syn: barn swallow, chimney swallow, Hirundo rustica]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Swift \Swift\, n.
1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
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2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged,
insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidae. In form
and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are
destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing
birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to
the humming birds.
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Note: The common European swift (Cypselus apus syn.
Micropus apus) nests in church steeples and under the
tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and
shrill screams. It is called also black martin,
black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird,
swingdevil, screech martin, and shriek owl. The
common American, or chimney, swift (Chaetura
pelagica) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers.
It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys,
and is called also chimney swallow. The Australian
swift (Chaetura caudacuta) also has sharp naked tips
to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift
(Cypselus melba) is whitish beneath, with a white
band across the breast. The common Indian swift is
Cypselus affinis. See also Palm swift, under
Palm, and Tree swift, under Tree.
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3. (Zool.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine
lizard.
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4. (Zool.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
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5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
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6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Chimney \Chim"ney\, n.; pl. Chimneys. [F. chemin['e]e, LL.
caminata, fr. L. caminus furnace, fireplace, Gr. ? furnace,
oven.]
1. A fireplace or hearth. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
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2. That part of a building which contains the smoke flues;
esp. an upright tube or flue of brick or stone, in most
cases extending through or above the roof of the building.
Often used instead of chimney shaft.
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Hard by a cottage chimney smokes. --Milton.
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3. A tube usually of glass, placed around a flame, as of a
lamp, to create a draft, and promote combustion.
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4. (Min.) A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending
downward in a vein. --Raymond.
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Chimney board, a board or screen used to close a fireplace;
a fireboard.
Chimney cap, a device to improve the draught of a chimney,
by presenting an exit aperture always to leeward.
Chimney corner, the space between the sides of the
fireplace and the fire; hence, the fireside.
Chimney hook, a hook for holding pats and kettles over a
fire,
Chimney money, hearth money, a duty formerly paid in
England for each chimney.
Chimney pot (Arch.), a cylinder of earthenware or sheet
metal placed at the top of a chimney which rises above the
roof.
Chimney swallow. (Zool.)
(a) An American swift (Ch[ae]ture pelasgica) which lives
in chimneys.
(b) In England, the common swallow (Hirundo rustica).
Chimney sweep, Chimney sweeper, one who cleans chimneys
of soot; esp. a boy who climbs the flue, and brushes off
the soot.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
chimney swallow
n 1: American swift that nests in e.g. unused chimneys [syn:
chimney swift, chimney swallow, Chateura pelagica]
2: common swallow of North America and Europe that nests in
barns etc. [syn: barn swallow, chimney swallow, Hirundo
rustica]