Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OS'TRICH, n. [Fr. autruche; Sp. avestruz; Port. abestruz; It. struzzo; G. strauss; D. struis or struis-vogel; Dan. struds; Sw. struss; L. struthio-camelus; Gr. στρουθος, a sparrow, and an ostrich. The meaning of this name is not obvious. The word strauss in German, signifies a bush, a tuft, a bunch; but the latter part of this name struz, struds, strauss, coincides also with the Eng. strut, Dan. strutter, G. strotzen; and this is the L. struthio, Gr. στρουθος. The first part of the word in Fr. Sp. and Port. is from L. avis. The primary sense of struz, struthio, &c. is to reach, stretch, extend, or erect; but whether this name was given to the fowl from its stately walk or appearance, or from some part of its plumage, let the reader judge.]

The popular name of a brevipen grallatory fowl, which is one of the species of the genus Struthio. This is the largest of all fowls, being four feet high from the ground to the top of the back, and seven, eight, and it is said even ten to the top of the head, when standing erect. Its thighs and the sides of the body are naked, and the wings are so short as to be unfit for flying. The plumage is elegant, and much used in ornamental and showy dress. The speed of this fowl in running exceeds that of the fleetest horse. – Encyc.