from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wren \Wren\ (r[e^]n), n. [OE. wrenne, AS. wrenna, wr[ae]nna,
perhaps akin to wr[=ae]ne lascivious.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds
belonging to {Troglodytes} and numerous allied of the
family {Troglodytidae}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the species best known are the house wren
({Troglodytes aedon}) common in both Europe and
America, and the American winter wren ({Troglodytes
hiemalis}). See also {Cactus wren}, {Marsh wren}, and
{Rock wren}, under {Cactus}, {Marsh}, and {Rock}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds
more or less resembling the true wrens in size and habits.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among these are several species of European warblers;
as, the reed wren (see {Reed warbler}
(a), under {Reed}), the sedge wren (see {Sedge warbler},
under {Sedge}), the willow wren (see {Willow warbler},
under {Willow}), the golden-crested wren, and the
ruby-crowned wren (see {Kinglet}).
[1913 Webster]
{Ant wren}, any one of numerous South American birds of the
family {Formicaridae}, allied to the ant thrushes.
{Blue wren}, a small Australian singing bird ({Malurus
cyaneus}), the male of which in the breeding season is
bright blue. Called also {superb warbler}.
{Emu wren}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Wren babbler}, any one of numerous species of small timaline
birds belonging to {Alcippe}, {Stachyris}, {Timalia}, and
several allied genera. These birds are common in Southern
Asia and the East Indies.
{Wren tit}. See {Ground wren}, under {Ground}.
{Wren warbler}, any one of several species of small Asiatic
and African singing birds belonging to {Prinia} and allied
genera. These birds are closely allied to the tailor
birds, and build their nests in a similar manner. See also
{Pincpinc}.
[1913 Webster]