Lexic.us

Definition of Ostrich

1. Noun. A person who refuses to face reality or recognize the truth (a reference to the popular notion that the ostrich hides from danger by burying its head in the sand).

2. Noun. Fast-running African flightless bird with two-toed feet; largest living bird.

Definition of Ostrich

1. n. A large bird of the genus Struthio, of which Struthio camelus of Africa is the best known species. It has long and very strong legs, adapted for rapid running; only two toes; a long neck, nearly bare of feathers; and short wings incapable of flight. The adult male is about eight feet high.

Definition of Ostrich

1. Noun. A large flightless bird (''Struthio camelus'') native to Africa. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Ostrich

1. a large, flightless bird [n -ES]

Medical Definition of Ostrich

1. A large bird of the genus Struthio, of which Struthio camelus of Africa is the best known species. It has long and very strong legs, adapted for rapid running; only two toes; a long neck, nearly bare of feathers; and short wings incapable of flight. The adult male is about eight feet high. The South African ostrich (Struthio australis) and the Asiatic ostrich are considered distinct species by some authors. Ostriches are now domesticated in South Africa in large numbers for the sake of their plumes. The body of the male is covered with elegant black plumose feathers, while the wings and tail furnish the most valuable white plumes. Ostrich farm, a farm on which ostriches are bred for the sake of their feathers, oil, eggs, etc. Ostrich farming, the occupation of breeding ostriches for the sake of their feathers, etc. Ostrich fern a kind of fern (Onoclea Struthiopteris), the tall fronds of which grow in a circle from the rootstock. It is found in alluvial soil in Europe and North America. Origin: OE. Ostriche, ostrice, OF. Ostruche, ostruce, F. Autruche, L. Avis struthio; avis bird + struthio ostrich, fr. Gr, fr. Bird, sparrow. Cf. Aviary, Struthious] [Formerly written also estrich. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ostrich

ostracum ostraka ostrakon ostrasize ostrea ostreaceous ostreaculture ostreaphile ostreger ostregers

ostreolith ostreoliths ostreophagist ostreophagists ostreotoxism ostrich (current term) ostrich fern ostriches ostrichism ostrichlike

ostricization ostricize ostrisize ostro ostrobogulation ostrobogulosity ostrobogulous ostruble ostrubles osumilite

Literary usage of Ostrich

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss, Jenny H. Stickney (1898)
""TTTE rose early to proceed on our way; but the ostrich * ' was still so ... Storm and Grumbler being in charge of the ostrich, we harnessed the cow to the ..."

2. An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great by John Woody Papworth (1874)
"FEATHER and in chief Per chev. or and az. an ostrich feather arg. in chief two roses gu. stalked leaved and barbed •vert seeded ol the first. ..."

3. Report of the Secretary of Agriculture by United States Dept. of Agriculture (1889)
"The history of ostrich farming in America is about as follows, as told by the brave men ... As America took one-half of the millions of ostrich feathers, ..."

4. The Journal of Geography by National Council of Geography Teachers (U.S.) (1918)
"ostrich FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA * . IN times past the two-toed ostrich ranged over all the habitable parts of the continent of Africa, and extended into ..."

5. Cyclopedia of American Agriculture: A Popular Survey of Agricultural by Liberty Hyde Bailey (1908)
"The ostrich is the large African running-bird. It has been successfully domesticated in ... The ostrich is very much the largest of any existing bird. ..."

6. South African Journal of Science by South African Association for the Advancement of Science (1907)
"Justly or unjustly the ostrich has become proverbial for stupidity. ... Perhaps an enquiry into the actual habits of the ostrich and their underlying ..."

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