English Explanatory Dictionary

ostrichism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of hiding, often unsuccessfully, by ducking one's head out of view.
  2. A policy of burying one's head in the sand, that is, ignoring the reality of a situation.

Pronunciation

/ˈɒstɹɪtʃɪz(ə)m/ /-dʒɪ-/ En-uk-ostrichism.ogg /ˈɑstɹit͡ʃˌɪzəm/ En-us-ostrichism.ogg

Word forms

ostrichism

Etymology

From ostrich + -ism. The ostrich is often erroneously believed to bury its head in the sand to hide from predators.

Related words

ostrich ostrichlike ostrich policy ostrich politics
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