Definition of thrush

The origin of the word "thrush" can be traced back to the Old English language, where it was spelled as "þros". This Old English word is believed to have derived from the Proto-Germanic language, in which the word *thurstaz meant "speckled bird". The word "thurstaz" was likely inspired by the speckled or spotted feathers found on many species of thrushes, particularly in juvenile or female birds. The Germanic root *thur(st)- can also be found in the modern German word for thrush, "Gimpel", and in the Danish word "turseje". The Latin name for thrushes, "turdus", may also have influenced the English word. "Turdus" is thought to originate from the Latin "turdus pectoralis", which was used to describe a thrush with a spotted breast. As English descended from Old English into Middle English, the spelling of "thrush" became more familiar, with the second "r" in the word often being dropped. Today, the word "thrush" is widely recognized as a common term for a family of birds found around the world.