Obs. [ad. late L. celidonius (in Pliny chelīdonius), ad. Gr. χελιδόνιος (λίθος), f. χελιδών swallow: see quot. 1621.] A stone fabled to be found in the belly of a swallow: see quots. Cf. Fr. chélidoine ‘pierre precieuse: petits cailloux appartenant aux agates: on dit aussi pierres d’hirondelle’ (Littré).
[1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iv. I. iv. 232/2. In the belly of a swallow, there is a stone found called Celidonius, which if it be lapped in a faire cloath, and tied to the right arme, will cure lunaticks and mad men.]
1661. Sir H. Vane’s Politicks, 9. The Celedonie Stone, whose property it is to lose all its power and vertue, unless it be rub’d with gold.
