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Glite Dictionary
chelidon

chelidon

9.9
An old word for a small bird called a swallow that comes back in spring
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : chelido
  • Few people today use the word chelidon to refer to the common swallow.

Examples

  • The chelidon is known for its swift movements.

  • Have you ever seen a chelidon in flight?

  • In ancient poetry, the chelidon was celebrated as a harbinger of spring.

  • The old manuscript described the flight of the chelidon over the river.

  • During spring, the chelidon gracefully swoops through the air as it searches for insects to eat.

  • Many people enjoy watching the chelidon build its nest under the eaves of houses.

  • The arrival of the chelidon each year signals the beginning of warmer weather.

Synonyms

swallow
vschelidon
15 2.1

A small bird with long pointed wings and a forked tail that eats insects

is an older, rarer name used historically rather than in modern speech
hirondelle
vschelidon
  • Literature
9.9

A small bird with long wings that catches insects while flying

is an old rare English name rather than a modern literary or French use

Surface Forms

chelidon singular
chelidons plural

Etymology

Chelidon comes from the Greek chelidōn, which means 'swallow'. Poets long ago used it for the small bird with a forked tail that returns in spring, so chelidon is an old or rare word for the swallow known for its graceful flight.