a. and sb. Also Suabian. [f. Suabia, latinized f. G. Schwaben + -AN.]
1. a. adj. Belonging or pertaining to, or native of Swabia (Schwaben), a former German duchy, now a province including Würtemberg and part of Bavaria. b. sb. A native of Swabia.
1785. Latham, Gen. Synopsis Birds, V. 60. Swabian B[ittern] … Inhabits the banks of the Danube.
1831. For. Q. Rev., VIII. 348. The Swabian Era [of German literature].
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 195. The Swabian league.
1845. Encycl. Metrop., XIII. 184/1. The Alemanni or Suabians subdued the portion of Helvetia east of the Reuss.
1905. Athenæum, 5 Aug., 173/3. A dozen cheery Austrian or Swabian tourists.
2. Name of a variety of pigeon.
1855. Poultry Chron., II. 417/1. The beautiful spangled feathering of the Suabian Pigeon. Ibid., 516/1. Pens containing Jacobins,… Saxons, Magpies, Owls, Swabians.
1881. Lyell, Pigeons, 99. The ground colour of the Suabian should be of a good metallic black.
