Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A small owl of North America, Nyctala richardsoni.
- noun 2. The death's-head moth.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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In Poland, where the moth was called the wandering death-bird, its cries were likened to those of a grief-stricken child.
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The death-bird was Granny Wallon's private pet and messenger, and she gave a skip as she told us about him.
Cider With Rosie Lee, Laurie 1959
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Bats are on the wing, the night-hawk careers above the trees, fire-flies flit about, and the death-bird calls_.
Laura Secord, the heroine of 1812. A Drama. and Other Poems. Sarah Anne Curzon 1865
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The "death-bird" drew herself up straight at these words, she seemed as big again as her usual old shrunken self, and pointed towards the churchyard with her crutch.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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"Did you not hear the cry of the death-bird?" stammered he.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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In the tower hooted the owls, and the death-bird screamed.
Pater Peter. English. M��r J��kai 1864
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The "death-bird" stared at him without moving a muscle.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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The "death-bird" has whispered the magic spell, and Death will obey the summons.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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The "death-bird," as they called her, was standing there in front of the trellised gate with her eyes fixed on the windows, her face was as pale as the face of a corpse, and her white hair was fluttering in the tempestuous night.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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The old hag, "the death-bird," was crouching there on the church steps with a bundle of healing herbs in her lap, and her crutch under her armpits, and with her chin resting on her knee.
The Day of Wrath M��r J��kai 1864
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