Ostrich

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɒs.tɹɪt͡ʃ/

Definitions

1. A large, flightless avian native to the African continent, distinguished by its long legs and neck, it primarily consumes vegetation and can attain remarkable running speeds
2. This bird, recognized as the largest of all living species, is notable for its inability to fly and is characterized by an impressive stature along with its long limbs and neck
3. A notable flightless bird from Africa, it is the largest living species, identified by its long legs and neck, and primarily feeds on plant material while running swiftly

Etymology: The most surprising part of this bird's name is that it combines a word for "sparrow" with a word for "camel." Ancient Greek speakers called the ostrich "strouthokamelos," literally "sparrow-camel," a nod to its small head and body-feathers on a long, camel-like frame. The Greeks eventually shortened the name to "strouthion," which passed into Latin as "struthio." Romans then sometimes combined it with "avis," meaning "bird," producing "avis struthio," a bird-ostrich compound. Vulgar Latin speakers shortened this into a form like "austruthio," which passed into Old French as "ostruce." Anglo-Norman and Middle English then borrowed it, giving us "ostrige" and eventually "ostrich," arriving in English during the Middle English period.

Synonyms: bird, flightless bird, struthio