Wren Meaning
/ɹɛn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounTroglodytes troglodytes (Eurasian wren, type species and sole Old World species of the family Troglodytidae).
nounAny member of a mainly New World passerine bird family Troglodytidae; a true wren.
Sentence Examples
St Paul's Cathedral was designed by Christopher Wren.
A wren was hopping about in the snow, looking for food.
CEFR Practice Quiz
I saw a tiny ____ perched on the wooden fence and chirped very loudly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ is a very small bird that is often seen darting through the bushes in the garden today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English wrenne, wranne, from Old English wrenna, wrænna, werna, wærna, wrenne (“wren”), from Proto-West Germanic *wrandijō, from Proto-Germanic *wrandijô (“wren”). Cognate with Old Saxon wrendilo (“wren”), Old High German rento, rentilo (“wren”), Danish rindel (“wren”), Icelandic rindill (“wren”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Wren church did not cross the Atlantic at once."
— 1983, Marcus Whiffen, Frederick Koeper, American Architecture: 1607-1860:
"This engraving of a Wren design for the north elevation was made in 1702."
— 1999, Andrew Prescott et al., The British inheritance: a treasury of historic documents:
"Wren rebuilt this church 15 years after the Great Fire, and later renovations have not altered its 17th-century appearance."
— 2004, Thomas Bruce Wheeler, London Secrets: London Guidebook for the First Time Visitor:
"Wren architecture and Queen Anne furniture style flourished in tandem during the reigns of George II and George III."
— 2007, Karla J. Nielson, Interior textiles: fabrics, applications, & historical styles:
"The philanthropic concerns underlying Chelsea turned to the navy, and Wren was among those who in 1693 discussed a permanent institution on this site."
— 2007, Kerry Downes, Christopher Wren:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I saw a tiny ____ perched on the wooden fence and chirped very loudly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ is a very small bird that is often seen darting through the bushes in the garden today.