About The Word Ostrich

Bay Area Crosswords

Learn about the word Ostrich to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Ostrich definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.

Ostrich

Ostrich Meaning & Definition
Ostrich Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Ostrich?

[n] fast-running African flightless bird with two-toed feet; largest living bird

Synonyms | Synonyms for Ostrich: Struthio camelus

Related Terms | Find terms related to Ostrich:

See Also | flightless bird | genus Struthio | ratite | ratite bird | Struthio

Ostrich In Webster's Dictionary

\Os"trich\, n. [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}.] (Zo["o]l.) 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. Note: 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.

More Crossword Puzzle Words

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Cross Word Of The Day

  • Idle wheel ‐ a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide…
  • Savin ‐ procumbent or…
  • Cram full ‐ packed full to capacity; "chowder chockablock with pieces of…
  • Lamb's lettuce ‐ widely cultivated as a salad crop and pot herb;…
  • Bismarck sea ‐ World War II naval battle; Allied land-based bombers destroyed…
  • Indiscriminating ‐ not…
  • Astragalus danicus ‐ perennial of southern and western Europe having dense racemes…
  • Coniferophytina ‐ cone-bearing gymnosperms dating from the Carboniferous period;…
  • Unvaried ‐ not diversified [adj]…
  • Animal group ‐ a group…