struthious
Definition
Adjective: Relating to or resembling an ostrich or the ostrich family (Struthionidae), including other large, flightless birds such as the emu and rhea.
Usage Examples
- (Referring to a bird of the ostrich family.)
- (Feathers from ostriches or similar birds.)
- (A skeleton of an ostrich-like bird.)
Advanced Usage
- "Struthious policy": A figurative use meaning a policy of ignoring or avoiding reality, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- The government's struthious approach to climate change only delayed necessary action. (An avoidance strategy.)
- "Struthious gait": A walking style resembling that of an ostrich, with long strides and a forward-leaning posture.
- The runner moved with a struthious gait, covering ground quickly. (A long, powerful stride.)
Variants and Related Words
- Struthionidae (n): the biological family of large, flightless birds including ostriches, emus, and rheas.
- Struthionidae are found primarily in Africa and South America. (The bird family.)
- Struthio (n): the genus name for the ostrich.
- Struthio camelus is the scientific name for the common ostrich. (The genus.)
Synonyms
- Ratite: relating to a group of flightless birds with a flat breastbone, including ostriches, emus, and kiwis.
- The ratite birds are distinguished by their lack of a keeled sternum. (Similar to struthious but broader.)
- Ostrich-like: resembling an ostrich in appearance or behavior.
- Her ostrich-like posture made her seem taller than she was. (A simpler synonym.)
Related Idioms
- "Bury one's head in the sand": to ignore or avoid a problem, like an ostrich supposedly does.
- He buried his head in the sand when faced with financial trouble. (An idiom related to struthious behavior.)
- "Ostrich policy": a strategy of ignoring obvious dangers or difficulties.
- The company's ostrich policy led to its eventual bankruptcy. (A figurative use similar to "struthious policy.")