Promerops (promerops)

[NL. (Bri on, 1760), IMG:content-1072.png:[blocks in formation] eater: see Merops.] 1. In or nith., a generic name variously used. ( a ) Applied to many different tenuirostral or slender-billed birds of the pa erine families Paradiseidæ, Meliphagidæ, and Nectariniidæ, and of the picarian family Upupidæ, as of the genera Epimachus, Cinnyris, Irrisor, and others not specially related. (b) Properly restricted to an African genus of oscine pa erine birds of the family Meliphagidæ and subfamily Meliphaginæ, having a slender curved bill about twice as long as the head and not bristled, unfeathered operculated nostrils, scutellate tarsi, and extremely long tail. The type is the Cape promerops, P. cafer, of South Africa; there is a second species, P. gurney i. Also called Falcinellus, and Ptiloturus or Ptilurus. 2. [l. c.] A species of the ge nus Promerops, in any sense; a pro me rope. prome et, v. A Middle English form of prom ise. pro me the a (prō-mēthē-ä), n. [NL.: see Pro me the us.] In entom., same as pro me the us. Pro me the an (prō-mēthē-an), a. and n. [L. Pro me the us, of or pertaining to Pro me the us, a vulture. These vultures in my breast Gripe my Pro me the an heart both night and day. Quarles , Emblems, iv. 14. I know not where is that Pro me the an heat That can thy light relume. Shak ., Othello, v. 2. 12. Pro me the an fire Is quite extinct in them; yea, vse of sence Hath within them noe place of residence. Times' Whistle (E. E. T. S.), p. 67. 2. [l. c.] In entom . , of or pertaining to the pro me the us; being or known as the pro me the us: as, a pro me the an silkworm. II. n. [l. c.] A small gla tube containing sulphuric acid, and surrounded by an inflammable mixture which it ignited on being pre ed: formerly used for affording a ready light.