thrush

A thrush can be a small songbird, often noticed for its spotted chest and clear, musical call in the woods. The word also commonly refers to a fungal infection in the mouth, especially in babies, that causes white patches. In horses, thrush is an infection in the hoof, usually around the frog. So the meaning depends on the situation: you might hear one in a forest, or hear the word from a doctor or a horse owner.

The word "thrush" has a few distinct meanings in everyday English, and context tells you which one is meant. Most basically, a thrush is a kind of songbird in the family Turdidae. Many of these birds are known for their spotted breasts and rich, musical songs. A nature writer might describe a thrush calling from deep in the woods, especially in the early morning or evening.

In medicine, "thrush" usually means *oral candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by Candida* yeast. It often appears as white patches in the mouth or on the tongue and is common in babies, though adults can get it too. This is one of the most common modern uses of the word outside nature writing.

The word also has a veterinary meaning. In horses, *thrush* is an infection of the frog, the V-shaped part on the underside of the hoof. It is often linked to wet, dirty conditions and can cause a bad smell and soreness. Whether someone is talking about a bird in the forest, an infection in the mouth, or a problem in a horse's hoof, the word "thrush" carries a clear meaning once the setting is known.