chimney swift
- noun
- /ˈʧɪmni swɪft/
- US
:
vencejo de chimenea
- During the summer, we often see chimney swifts flying near the old brick chimneys around town.
Examples
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The chimney swift is known for nesting in chimneys and can be recognized by its unique shape and fast flight.
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The chimney swift is known for its acrobatic flight.
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A flock of chimney swifts circled rapidly above the old warehouse at sunset.
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Each spring, a pair of chimney swifts returns to nest in our unused fireplace.
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The distinctive chittering of chimney swifts filled the air as they hunted for insects.
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Many chimney swifts return to the same nest each year.
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Every evening, the chimney swift returns to its nest in the tall chimney of the house.
Synonyms
7
2.9
A small bird with long wings and a forked tail that flies very fast
A small fast bird that often nests in old chimneys and hollow trees
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a type of swift associated with chimneys' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'chimney' (a smoke-venting structure) with 'swift' (a bird): the compound straightforwardly names a bird that nests in chimneys. This noun‑noun compounding pattern is predictable and cross‑linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Chimney swift gets its name from a simple picture: the birds are very quick, swift, and they often 'nest' inside chimneys, so the name shows both how they fly and where they live.