chimney swallow

3 definitions found

chimney swallow - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Swift \Swift\, n.
     1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine
        lizard.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Zool.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
        yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
        [1913 Webster]

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Hard by a cottage chimney smokes.     --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A tube usually of glass, placed around a flame, as of a
        lamp, to create a draft, and promote combustion.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Min.) A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending
        downward in a vein. --Raymond.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

chimney swallow - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  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
         ]