hirundo

hĭrundo, ĭnis, f. (weakened from chelidôn), a swallow.

I.

Lit., Plin. 10, 33, 49, § 92; 10, 24, 34, § 70; Plaut. Rud. 3, 1, 12; Verg. G. 1, 377; id. A. 12, 474; Ov. F. 2, 853; Hor. Ep. 1, 7, 13.—As a term of endearment:

dic me anaticulam, columbam vel catellum, Hirundinem, monedulam, etc.,

Plaut. As. 3, 3, 104.—Prov.:

quid contendat hirundo cycnis?

Lucr. 3, 6 (for which:

certent cycnis ululae,

Verg. E. 8, 55 ).—

II.

Transf., a flying sea - fish, sea - swallow, Exocoetus volitans s. evolans, Linn.; Plin. 9, 26, 43, § 81.