ouzel

or ou·sel

[ oo-zuhl ]

noun

1. dipper ( def 4 ).

ouzel

/ ˈuːzəl /

noun

1. the ring ouzel or water ouzel See ring ouzel dipper
2. an archaic name for the (European) blackbird

Word History and Origins

Origin of ouzel¹

before 900; Middle English osel merle, blackbird, Old English ōsle, cognate with German Amsel; akin to Latin merula; merle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ouzel¹

Old English ōsle, related to Old High German amsala (German Amsel ), Latin merula merle ¹

Example Sentences

Crossing creeks, Patla suggested keeping close watch for American dippers, also known as water ouzels, and sure enough, they spotted several.

From Seattle Times

Among birds particularly interesting because of curious and unusual habits are the broadtailed hummingbird, water ouzel, campbird, nuthatch, nighthawk, and the ptarmigan, pipit, and rosy finch of the high peaks.

From Project Gutenberg

It is totally impossible to follow our author through any thing like his range of subjects, extending from the hart to the seal and otter, from the eagle and wild swan to the ouzel.

From Project Gutenberg

This gorge is the home of the water ouzel, which is often seen flying back and forth in the spray.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, a research programme radio-tagging 16 ring ouzel chicks lost almost half of its subjects due to bad weather.

From BBC