Ostrich fern

Ostrich fern
ostrich os"trich ([o^]s"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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Ostrich fern — Taxobox name = Ostrich fern image width = 240px image caption = Sterile fronds in summer regnum = Plantae divisio = Pteridophyta classis = Pteridopsida ordo = Polypodiales familia = Onocleaceae genus = Matteuccia species = M. struthiopteris… …   Wikipedia

  • ostrich fern — paupinis jonpapartis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Vudsijinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Matteuccia struthiopteris), paplitęs Europoje ir Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Matteuccia struthiopteris angl. ostrich fern šaltinis… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • ostrich fern — paupinio jonpaparčio pensilvaninis varietetas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Vudsijinių šeimos daržovinis, dekoratyvinis augalas (Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Matteuccia… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • ostrich fern — noun tall fern of northern temperate regions having graceful arched fronds and sporophylls resembling ostrich plumes • Syn: ↑shuttlecock fern, ↑fiddlehead, ↑Matteuccia struthiopteris, ↑Pteretis struthiopteris, ↑Onoclea struthiopteris • Hypernyms …   Useful english dictionary

  • ostrich fern — noun Date: 1882 any of a genus (Matteuccia) of temperate zone ferns; especially a tall fern (M. struthiopteris) with graceful arched fronds which are the source of edible fiddleheads …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • american ostrich fern — noun Usage: usually capitalized A : an ostrich fern (Pteretis pennsylvanica) …   Useful english dictionary

  • ostrich — os trich ([o^]s 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ostrich farm — ostrich os trich ([o^]s 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[… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ostrich farming — ostrich os trich ([o^]s 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[… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fern — This article is about the group of pteridophyte plants. For other uses, see Fern (disambiguation). Ferns (Pteridophyta) Temporal range: Mid Devonian[1] Recent …   Wikipedia

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