Definition of sparrow Sparrow

/spɛˈɹow/ - [sperow] - spar•row

We found 14 definitions of sparrow from 7 different sources.

What does sparrow mean?

Noun Plural: sparrows
sparrow - any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
		true sparrow
		passeriform bird, passerine perching birds mostly small and living near the ground with feet having 4 toes arranged to allow for gripping the perch; most are songbirds; hatchlings are helpless
		family passeridae, passeridae true sparrows: Old world birds formerly considered weaverbirds
		english sparrow, house sparrow, passer domesticus small hardy brown-and-grey bird native to Europe
sparrow - small brownish European songbird
		hedge sparrow, dunnock, Prunella modularis

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sparrow (Noun)
The house sparrow , Passer domesticus ; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers.
sparrow (Noun)
A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds.
sparrow (Noun)
A member of the family Emberizidae, comprising small New World songbirds.
sparrow (Noun)
Generically, any small, nondescript bird.
sparrow (Noun)
A quick-witted, lively person. Often used in the phrase cockney sparrow.

sparrow (n.)
One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligae, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.
sparrow (n.)
Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge.

sparrow
spar′ō, n. an Old World genus of birds of fringilline family.—ns. Sparr′ow-bill, a small shoe-nail, so called from its shape—also Spar′able; Sparr′ow-grass, asparagus; Sparr′ow-hawk, a genus of long-legged, short-winged falcons, like the goshawks, but smaller.—adj. Sparr′ow-tail (see Swallow-tail). [A.S. spearwa; Goth. sparwa, Ice. spörr, Ger. sper-ling.]

sparrow
Mumbling a sparrow; a cruel sport frequently practised at wakes and fairs: for a small premium, a booby having his hands tied behind him, has the wing of a cock sparrow put into his mouth: with this hold, without any other assistance than the motion of his lips, he is to get the sparrow's head into his mouth: on attempting to do it, the bird defends itself surprisingly, frequently pecking the mumbler till his lips are covered with blood, and he is obliged to desist: to prevent the bird from getting away, he is fastened by a string to a button of the booby's coat.