ostrich
UK[ˈɒstrɪtʃ]US[ˈɔːstrɪtʃ]
n
a very large african bird that cannot fly but can run very fast, with long legs and a long neck
n
a person who refuses to accept unpleasant facts or reality
Etymology
the word 'ostrich' has a fascinating journey through languages, ultimately describing the bird by comparing it to two familiar creatures. its origin lies in ancient greek 'strouthiokamēlos', a compound of 'strouthos' (sparrow, bird) and 'kamēlos' (camel), humorously capturing the bird's avian nature and its large, camel-like size and desert habitat. this term was adopted into latin as 'struthiocamelus' and later shortened in vulgar latin to 'avis struthio' (bird ostrich). entering english via old french 'ostruce', the initial 'avis' (bird) was eventually lost, leaving the modern form 'ostrich', which still carries the ancient, metaphorical logic of a 'camel-bird'.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it entered english from old french 'ostruce', which came from vulgar latin 'avis struthio', from latin 'struthiocamelus', from greek 'strouthiokamēlos', meaning 'sparrow-camel'.
Examples
the ostrich is the world's largest living bird.
he's been accused of having an ostrich-like approach to the financial crisis, burying his head in the sand.
we saw a flock of ostriches running across the savanna.