Chelidon
/ˈkɛlɪdɒn/noun
A poetic or scholarly word for a swallow, especially in classical contexts.
Did you know?In Greek literature, the swallow was often linked with mythic transformation and seasonal return, which is why its name survives in botanical and scientific terms like Chelidonium.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱel-
“to call, shout; possibly related to bird-names and vocalization”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χελιδών (khelidṓn)
“swallow, the small migratory bird”
Classical Latin
Latin
chelidōn
“a swallow; borrowed scholarly form”
Middle English / Learned borrowing
English
chelidon
“a literary or scientific word for a swallow”
Modern English
English
chelidon
“a rare poetic or technical term for a swallow”
Explore more surprising origins