ostrich

os·trich

noun \ˈäs-trich, ˈȯs- also -trij\

Definition of OSTRICH

1

a : a swift-footed 2-toed flightless ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds (140 kilograms) b : rhea c : leather made from ostrich skin

2

[from the belief that the ostrich when pursued hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be unseen] : one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty by refusing to face it

— os·trich·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of OSTRICH

Middle English, from Anglo-French ostriz, ostrige, from Vulgar Latin *avis struthio, from Latin avis bird + Late Latin struthio ostrich — more at struthious

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl