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Webster 1913 Edition


ostrich

os′trich

(ŏs′trich)
,
Noun.
[OE.
ostriche
,
ostrice
, OF.
ostruche
,
ostruce
, F.
autruche
, L.
avis struthio
;
avis
bird +
struthio
ostrich, fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] bird, sparrow. Cf.
Aviary
,
Struthious
.]
[Formerly written also
estrich
.]
(Zool.)
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
(Bot.)
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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Ostrich

OS'TRICH

,
Noun.
[L. struthio-camelus; Gr. a sparrow, and an ostrich. The meaning of the name is not obvious. Eng. strut, L. struthio, Gr., L. avis. The primary sense of struz, struthio, &c. is to reach, stretch, extend or erect; but whether this name was given to the fowl from its stately walk or appearance, or from some part of its plumage, let the reader judge.]
A fowl now considered as constituting a distinct genus, the Struthio. This is the largest of all fowls, being four feet high from the ground to the top of the back and seven, eight, and it is said even ten to the top of the head, when standing erect. Its thighs and the sides of the body are naked, and the wings are so short as to be unfit for flying. The plumage is elegant, and much used in ornamental and showy dress. The speed of this fowl in running exceeds that of the fleetest horse.

Definition 2024


ostrich

ostrich

English

An ostrich and chick

Noun

ostrich (plural ostriches)

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

Translations

See also