1. One who or that which chirps; a little bird.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, 49. Away to the landes ende they trigge all the skie-bred chirpers of them.
1609. Armin, Ital. Taylor, C iv b. To gather killing Stones, For harmeles chirpers.
1768. G. White, Selborne, xvi. 44. The one [species of willow-wren] has a joyous, easy, laughing note, the other a harsh loud chirp…. The songster is one fifth heavier than the chirper.
1798. Lamb, Lett. to Southey, 18 Oct. The owl and little chirpers.
1806. E. Rushton, Poems, 104.
| No! No! cried the merchant, with ire, | |
| Not a chirper shall ’scape from my gripe, | |
| Thou may’st praise the sweet powers of their sire, | |
| But scoundrel! my cherries are ripe. |
2. A ‘chirping’ cup or glass (see CHIRPING ppl. a. 3).
1862. G. Meredith, Mod. Love, Juggling Jerry, xi. Hand up the chirper! ripe ale winks in it.
