house martin
- a small European swallow, Delichon urbica, that builds its nest under the eaves of houses.
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Origin of house martin
First recorded in 1760–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for house martin
Historical Examples
They dip and wash as they fly sometimes, like the house-martin and swallow.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 2Gilbert White
The sand-martin, the house-martin's cousin, prefers the side of a cliff.
The Children's Book of LondonGeraldine Edith Mitton
The house-martin's nest is more elaborate than the swallow's.
The Adventures of a Grain of DustHallam Hawksworth
Undoubtedly they breed a second time, like the house-martin and swallow; and withdraw about Michaelmas.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 2Gilbert White
Instead of the clay-built nest of the house-martin, this bird bores horizontal galleries in an escarpment.
house martin
- a Eurasian swallow, Delichon urbica, with a slightly forked tail and a white and bluish-black plumage
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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