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Any one of numerous species of small brilliantly colored birds of the family Nectariniidæ, native of Africa, Southern Asia, the East Indies, and Australia. In external appearance and habits they somewhat resemble humming birds, but they are true singing birds (Oscines).

species of Kneiffia, esp. K. fruticosa (syn. Onothera fruticosa), of the Evening-primrose family, having flowers that open by daylight.

Any one of numerous species of perch-like North American fresh- water fishes of the family Centrachidæ. They have a broad, compressed body, and strong dorsal spines. Among the common species of the Eastern United States are Lepomis gibbosus (called also bream, pondfish, pumpkin seed, and sunny), the blue sunfish, or do…

A group intermediate between a family and a suborder.

with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel.

Any one of numerous species of chætodont fishes of the family Teuthidæ, or Acanthuridæ, which have one or two sharp lancelike spines on each side of the base of the tail. Called also surgeon fish, doctor fish, lancet fish, and sea surgeon. Surgeon apothecary, one who unites the practice of surgery with that of the apot…

Any one of various species of mullets of the family Millidæ, esp. the European species (Millus surmulletus), which is highly prized as a food fish. See Mullet.

tion which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.

Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family Hirundinidæ, especially one of those species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and gracefulness of their flight.

A poisonous plant (Vincetoxicum officinale) of the Milkweed family, at one time used in medicine; -- also called white swallowwort. African swallowwort, a plant of the genus Stapelia.

me for two tropical American weeds (Capraria biflora, and Scoparia dulcis) of the Figwort family.

Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidæ. In form and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds.

. -- Swimming crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of marine crabs, as those of the family Protunidæ, which have some of the joints of one or more pairs of legs flattened so as to serve as fins.

A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidæ. It is highly valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper jaw are consolidated, and form a long, rigid, swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The adult is destitute of…

Any one of numerous species of marine annelids of the family Syllidæ.

Of or pertaining to the family of warblers (Sylvicolidæ). See Warbler.

The language of the Tagalogs. It belongs to the Malay family of languages and is one of the most highly developed members of the family.

A kind of outer coat, or overcoat; -- said to be so named after a celebrated Italian family of professional dancers. He ought certainly to exchange his taglioni, or comfortable greatcoat, for a cuirass of steel. Sir W. Scott.

The edible fruit of an East Indian tree (Baccaurea Malayana) of the Spurge family. It somewhat resembles an apple.

In Ireland, a lord or proprietor of a tract of land or of a castle, elected by a family, under the system of tanistry. This family [the O'Hanlons] were tanists of a large territory within the present county of Armagh. M. A. Lower.