noun pl. ostriches -·triches or ostrich -·trich

1. a swift-running bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa and SW Asia, the only member of its order (Struthioniformes): it is the largest and most powerful of living birds, and has a long neck, very long legs with two toes on each foot, and small, useless wings: the white tail and wing feathers of the male are used in millinery and as trimming
2. a person who tries to avoid difficult or dangerous situations by refusing to confront them

Etymology: OFr ostrusce < VL avistruthius < L avis, bird + struthio, short for struthiocamelus, ostrich < Gr strouthiokamēlos < strouthos, sparrow + kamēlos, camel