Chelidonism
/ˌkɛlɪˈdoʊnɪzəm/noun
The former belief that swallows hibernate through winter underwater or in mud.
Did you know?The belief was influential enough in premodern natural history that observations of swallows vanishing seasonally were interpreted as evidence of underwater hibernation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χελιδών (khelidṓn)
“Swallow, the migratory bird”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
χελιδονίζειν (khelidonízein)
“To behave like or imitate a swallow”
Late Antiquity–Early Modern Period
European scholarly usage
chelidon
“A swallow; used in learned descriptions and classifications”
18th Century
English
chelidonism
“The supposed hibernation of swallows in water or mud”
19th Century
English
chelidonism
“A natural-history term for the belief that swallows disappear into winter hiding places”
Modern English
English
chelidonism
“A historical or zoological belief that swallows hibernate underwater or in mud”
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