wren

noun

1. Troglodytes troglodytes (Eurasian wren, type species and sole Old World species of the family Troglodytidae).
2. Any member of a mainly New World passerine bird family Troglodytidae; a true wren.
3. Any small bird of similar appearance to a true wren, such as a fairywren or scrubwren.
4. (UK, informal)A female member of the Royal Navy (a member of the WRNS)

   “The characterisation of male officers as ineffectual chauvinists, and the offering of the Wrens as objects for Charlie's and the viewer's gaze, are mutually contradictory as well as uncomplimentary to all branches of the Navy.”

   “There was plenty of work for Wrens in the training bases of the navy.”

   “By the end of 1942 Wren officers were permitted to enrol on the meteorological course at RNC Greenwich, after which they were employed as fully qualified forecasters.”

name

1. A surname transferred from the nickname.
2. A surname transferred from the nickname.

   “The Wren church did not cross the Atlantic at once.”

   “This engraving of a Wren design for the north elevation was made in 1702.”

   “Wren rebuilt this church 15 years after the Great Fire, and later renovations have not altered its 17th-century appearance.”

   “Wren architecture and Queen Anne furniture style flourished in tandem during the reigns of George II and George III.”

   “The philanthropic concerns underlying Chelsea turned to the navy, and Wren was among those who in 1693 discussed a permanent institution on this site.”

3. (rare)A male or female given name from English from the noun wren.

   “"What's ironic," Alexandra said, "is that Mother named her Wren because as a newborn she reminded Mother of a shy bird. Little did she know."”