thrush Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
noun a woman who sings popular songs
noun songbirds characteristically having brownish upper plumage with a spotted breast

OE. þrusche, AS. þrysce; akin to OHG. drosca, droscea, droscela, and E. throstle. Cf. Throstle.

(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds belonging to Turdus and allied genera. They are noted for the sweetness of their songs. ✍ Among the best-known European species are the song thrush or throstle (Turdus musicus), the missel thrush (see under Missel), the European redwing, and the blackbird. The most important American species are the wood thrush (Turdus mustelinus), Wilson's thrush (T. fuscescens), the hermit thrush (see under Hermit), Swainson's thrush (T. Aliciæ), and the migratory thrush, or American robin (see Robin).
(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds more or less resembling the true thrushes in appearance or habits; as the thunderbird and the American brown thrush (or thrasher). See Brown thrush.

Akin to Dan. tröske, Sw. trosk; cf. Dan. tör dry, Sw. torr, Icel. urr, AS. yrr, OE. thrust thrist, E. thrist.

(Med.) An affection of the mouth, fauces, etc., common in newly born children, characterized by minute ulcers called aphthæ. See Aphthæ.
(Far.) An inflammatory and suppurative affection of the feet in certain animals. In the horse it is in the frog.