Chew, v. To grind with the teeth, to masticate; to meditate, or ruminate in the thoughts; to taste without swallowing.
Chick, Chicken, s. The young of a bird, particularly of a hen, or small bird.
Chine, s. The part of the back in which the back-bone is found; a piece of the back of an animal.
Chirp, s. The voice of birds or insects.
Chop, v. To do any thing with a quick motion; to light or happen upon any thing. To fall upon a scent.
Chough, s. A bird which frequents the rocks by the sea.
This species weighs about fourteen ounces; length near seventeen inches. The bill is longer and more slender than in any of the genus, a little curved, of a deep orange red, much resembling red coral, and is remarkably brittle; irides hazel.
The plumage is wholly black, glossed with purple; legs and feet red; claws black, strong, and much hooked. The female differs in not being so large, and in the bill being shorter; the plumage in both sexes is alike.
This bird with us seems to be chiefly confined to Devonshire, Cornwall, and Wales, where it is found on most of the bold rocky shores. It has been seen on the cliffs of Dover, supposed to have escaped from confinement, and stocked those rocks. But we believe the breed in those parts is again lost.—Montagu.
Chronic, a. Relating to time. A chronic distemper is of long duration. Vide Lameness.