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# sparrow

noun (a sparrow, sparrows)

«sparrow» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A sparrow is a small, common, brown and grey bird that lives near houses, gardens and towns and eats seeds and insects. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science and nature lessons sparrows are among the first garden birds children learn; the house sparrow has become rarer in some places. In stories and poems the sparrow is a small, ordinary, cheerful bird. Phrases: «house sparrow», «a flock of sparrows».

### Examples

- A sparrow hopped across the playground. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x1)
- Sparrows were eating crumbs under the picnic table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x2)
- The house sparrow is a small brown bird. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x3)
- We put out seeds for the sparrows in winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x4)
- A flock of sparrows chattered in the hedge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x5)
- Sparrows build nests under roofs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x6)
- "They are sparrows, and good creatures. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/#x7)

### Note

Countable: sparrow, sparrows. Double «r». A «sparrowhawk» is a bird of prey that hunts sparrows and other small birds.

## In Jewish tradition

It is a small bird that is alone, or finds a home near God's altar.

**Interpretation.** The Psalm picture of the sparrow at the altar is read as a longing to be near God's house. The lonely sparrow stands for the weak and sorrowful.

### Examples

- I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop. (Writings PSA.102.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sparrow/#x1)
- As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home. (Writings PRO.26.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sparrow/#x2)
- Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young; Thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God — . (Writings PSA.84.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sparrow/#x3)

### Note

Countable: sparrow, sparrows. Double «r». A «sparrowhawk» is a bird of prey that hunts sparrows and other small birds.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sparrow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparrow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sparrow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sparrow.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «sparrow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sparrow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sparrow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/sparrow.html) on Mova free.