purple martin

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noun

a large American swallow, Progne subis, the male of which is blue-black.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of purple martin

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

“Lockheed Martin has a long history of misrepresenting facts,” Wheeler added.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And with stand-ups, I remember liking George Carlin and Steve Martin.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Finally, Van Cleef and Martin realize Liberty is going too far.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But his words felt forced and were belied his 2004 vote to oppose marking Martin Luther King Jr.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The last film about Martin Luther King was made for television in 1977.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Its pages are filled with the purple gowns of kings and the scarlet trappings of the warrior.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The main entrance is in the centre of the St. Martin's Lane front, and consists of a central roadway for carts and wagons, 15ft.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
She was in a soiled dressing gown of purple flannel, with several of the buttons off.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
The old Wesleyan chapel, in Martin Street, was fitted up for schools in 1865.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell