throstle

[ thros-uhl ]

noun

1. British (chiefly Literary). the song thrush.
2. Obsolete. a machine for spinning wool, cotton, etc., in which the twisting and winding are simultaneous and continuous.

throstle

/ ˈθrɒsəl /

noun

1. a poetic name for the thrush, esp the song thrush
2. a spinning machine for wool or cotton in which the fibres are twisted and wound continuously

Word History and Origins

Origin of throstle¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch drossel, German Drossel; akin to Old Norse thrǫstr, Latin turdus thrush

Word History and Origins

Origin of throstle¹

Old English; related to Old Saxon throsla, Old Norse thröstr, Middle High German drostel

Example Sentences

There also are many birds, throstle, thrush and nightingale, goldfinch and woodlark, which sing merrily day and night.

From Project Gutenberg

The throstles sang in the elm-trees as though glad to be alive, and in the uplands the young lambs sported in the sunshine.

From Project Gutenberg

The crowd would press and jostle To hear their favourite warbler, from whose throat, Clear as the lark, and mellow as the throstle, The limpid melody would soar and float.

From Project Gutenberg

And as they rode along, Lady mine, The throstle gave them song, And the buds peeped through the grass To see youth and beauty pass, Lady mine.

From Project Gutenberg

All in vain; the great bird of prey bore down upon him like a hawk upon a throstle, gaining, gaining every moment.

From Project Gutenberg