The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ousel \Ou"sel\ ([oo^]"z'l), n. [OE. osel, AS. [=o]sle; akin to G. amsel, OHG. amsala, and perh. to L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle, Amsel.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of European thrushes, especially the blackbird ( Merula merula, or Turdus merula), and the mountain or ring ousel ( Turdus torquatus). [Written also ouzel.]
Rock ousel (Zo["o]l.), the ring ousel.
Water ousel (Zo["o]l.), the European dipper ( Cinclus aquaticus), and the American dipper ( Cinclus Mexicanus).
Water ousel \Wa"ter ou"sel\, Water ouzel \Wa"ter ou"zel\ . (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of small insessorial birds of the genus Cinclus (or Hydrobates), especially the European water ousel ( Cinclus aquaticus), and the American water ousel ( Cinclus Mexicanus). These birds live about the water, and are in the habit of walking on the bottom of streams beneath the water in search of food.
Cinclus \Cinclus\ n. the type genus of the bird family Cinclidae. It includes the water ouzels Cinclus aquaticus of Europe and Cinclus mexicanus of western North America.
Syn: genus Cinclus.