[f. FIRE sb.]

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  1.  A lampyrid or elaterid insect which has the property of emitting phosphorescent light.

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1658.  Rowland, Moufet’s Theat. Ins., 1019 (chapter title). Of the Fire-fly.

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1756.  P. Browne, Jamaica, 432. The larger Fire-Fly. This insect is of an oblong form, about an inch or better in length, and moderately broad in proportion.

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1814.  Cary, Dante’s Inf., XXVI. 31.

        Fire-flies innumerous spangling o’er the vale,
Vineyard or tilth, where his day-labour lies.

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1880.  Ouida, Moths, II. xviii. 262. The guitar, though but a light thing, has passion in it; passion and tenderness and all the caress of love; and, to those who have grown to care for it under southern skies and summer stars, it speaks of love and sighs for it; it has told its tale so often where the fireflies flash amongst the lemon blossoms and the myrtle.

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  2.  attrib. and Comb.

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1806.  Moore, Lake Dismal Swamp, ii.

        And her fire-fly lamp I soon shall see,
  And her paddle I soon shall hear;
Long and loving our life shall be,
And I’ll hide the maid in a cypress tree,
  When the footstep of death is near.

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1858.  Bushnell, Serm. New Life, 189. The lightning is, in fact, but a mere fire-fly spark in comparison.

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1876.  Ouida, Winter City, vii. 183. Snatches of soft melodies, such as echo through the firefly-lighted corn.

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