ostrich
UK: ˈɒstrɪtʃ | US: ˈɔːstrɪtʃ
n. a large, flightless bird native to Africa, known for its long neck and legs and ability to run at high speeds.
n. (figurative) a person who refuses to face reality or accept facts.
The word "ostrich" originates from Old French ostruce, derived from Latin avis struthio ("bird ostrich"), where avis means "bird" and struthio is from Greek strouthos (meaning "sparrow" or "large bird"). Over time, the Latin phrase condensed into struthio, which evolved into Old French ostruce and later Middle English ostrich. The modern spelling reflects this progression, though the morpheme boundaries are now opaque. The figurative sense ("one who avoids reality") arose from the myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand.
The ostrich sprinted across the savanna at remarkable speed.
He’s such an ostrich—he ignores all evidence of climate change.
Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird.
The zoo’s ostrich exhibit is always crowded with visitors.
She accused him of acting like an ostrich, refusing to address the problem.