sea swallow

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English[edit]

Noun[edit]

sea swallow (plural sea swallows)

  1. (UK) The common tern (Sterna hirundo).
    • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 181:
      There was a light breeze off the land; it was scarcely strong enough to lift the heavy fog which lay over the skerries and the naked cliffs, from which the scared sea-gulls flew and hovered around us with their hoarse cry; the sea-swallows uttered their ringing "Tree, tree," and the oyster-catchers their mocking "Click, click!" which has caused so many an unsuccessful sportsman to smile.
  2. The storm petrel.
  3. A mollusc of genus Glaucus.
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