ostrich

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɒstrɪtʃ/

noun

  • 1a flightless swift-running African bird with a long neck, long legs, and two toes on each foot. It is the largest living bird, with males reaching a height of up to 2.75 m.
    • Struthio camelus, the only member of the family Struthionidae
  • 2a person who refuses to face reality or accept facts: don’t be an ostrich when it comes to security systems
    [from the popular belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand if pursued]

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French ostriche, from Latin avis 'bird' + late Latin struthio (from Greek strouthiōn 'ostrich', from strouthos 'sparrow or ostrich')