Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sparrow \Spar"row\, n. [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG.
   sparo, G. sperling, Icel. sp["o]rr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw.
   sparf, Goth. sparwa; -- originally, probably, the quiverer or
   flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See {Spurn}, and cf.
   {Spavin}.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) One of many species of small singing birds of
      the family {Fringillig[ae]}, 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}.

   Note: The following American species are well known; the
         {chipping sparrow}, or {chippy}, the {sage sparrow},
         the {savanna sparrow}, the {song sparrow}, the {tree
         sparrow}, and the {white-throated sparrow} (see
         {Peabody bird}). See these terms under {Sage},
         {Savanna}, etc.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat
      resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the
      European hedge sparrow. See under {Hedge}.

            He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently
            caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age!
                                                  --Shak.

   {Field sparrow}, {Fox sparrow}, etc. See under {Field},
      {Fox}, etc.

   {Sparrow bill}, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a
      sparable.

   {Sparrow hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) A small European hawk ({Accipiter nisus}) or any of
          the allied species.
      (b) A small American falcon ({Falco sparverius}).
      (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk ({Accipiter
          torquatus}).

   Note: The name is applied to other small hawks, as the
         European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk.

   {Sparrow owl} (Zo["o]l.), a small owl ({Glaucidium
      passerinum}) found both in the Old World and the New. The
      name is also applied to other species of small owls.

   {Sparrow spear} (Zo["o]l.), the female of the reed bunting.
      [Prov. Eng.]

--Simonds.

   {House car} (Railroad), a freight car with inclosing sides
      and a roof; a box car.

   {House of correction}. See {Correction}.

   {House cricket} (Zo["o]l.), a European cricket ({Gryllus
      domesticus}), which frequently lives in houses, between
      the bricks of chimneys and fireplaces. It is noted for the
      loud chirping or stridulation of the males.

   {House dog}, a dog kept in or about a dwelling house.

   {House finch} (Zo["o]l.), the burion.

   {House flag}, a flag denoting the commercial house to which a
      merchant vessel belongs.

   {House fly} (Zo["o]l.), a common fly (esp. {Musca
      domestica}), which infests houses both in Europe and
      America. Its larva is a maggot which lives in decaying
      substances or excrement, about sink drains, etc.

   {House of God}, a temple or church.

   {House of ill fame}. See {Ill fame} under {Ill}, a.

   {House martin} (Zo["o]l.), a common European swallow
      ({Hirundo urbica}). It has feathered feet, and builds its
      nests of mud against the walls of buildings. Called also
      {house swallow}, and {window martin}.

   {House mouse} (Zo["o]l.), the common mouse ({Mus musculus}).
      

   {House physician}, the resident medical adviser of a hospital
      or other public institution.

   {House snake} (Zo["o]l.), the milk snake.

   {House sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), the common European sparrow
      ({Passer domesticus}). It has recently been introduced
      into America, where it has become very abundant, esp. in
      cities. Called also {thatch sparrow}.

   {House spider} (Zo["o]l.), any spider which habitually lives
      in houses. Among the most common species are {Theridium
      tepidariorum} and {Tegenaria domestica}.

   {House surgeon}, the resident surgeon of a hospital.

   {House wren} (Zo["o]l.), the common wren of the Eastern
      United States ({Troglodytes a["e]don}). It is common about
      houses and in gardens, and is noted for its vivacity, and
      loud musical notes. See {Wren}.

   {Religious house}, a monastery or convent.

   {The White House}, the official residence of the President of
      the United States; -- hence, colloquially, the office of
      President.

Source : WordNet®

Passer domesticus
     n : small hardy brown-and-gray bird native to Europe [syn: {English
         sparrow}, {house sparrow}]