[wren] n [ME wrenne, fr. OE wrenna; akin to OHG rentilo wren] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Troglodytidae) of numerous small more or less brown oscine singing birds; esp: a very small widely distributed bird (Troglodytes troglodytes) that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song
2: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits