▪ I. sprew
var. of sprue n.1
▪ II. † sprew1 Obs.—1
[Of obscure origin: cf. MHG. sprêwen, spreuwen, G. spreuen, to sprinkle.]
Spray.
| 1633 T. James Voy. 117 The Cables began to freeze in the house and the Ship to be frozen over with the sprewe of the Sea. |
▪ III. sprew2 S. African.
(spruː)
Also spreeu, spreo, spreuw.
[ad. Du. spreeuw starling.]
A bird belonging to the genus Spreo (of the family Sturnidæ), esp. S. bicolor, characterized by its iridescent plumage; a glossy starling.
| 1795 C. R. Hopson tr. C. P. Thunberg's Trav. Europe, Africa & Asia (ed. 2) II. 48 A kind of Corvus, (or crow) called Spreuw, was found..in great plenty. 1801 [see fiscal n. 3]. 1867 E. L. Layard Birds S. Afr. 173 The red-wing spreo, aided by finches,..would soon pick the crop [of grapes]. 1897 A. Page Afternoon Ride 58 The golden-green gleam on the wing of a sprew. 1913 J. J. Doke Secret City 229 ‘Jolly fine birds, spreeuws,’ he said. 1939 S. Cloete Watch for Dawn 106 A spreeu dug its beak into some half-dried dung for the fly-worms that were in it. 1961 B. C. Tait Durban Story 69 Blue-black sprews flash above incredibly green lawns. |