/ren/ , n.
1. any of numerous small, active songbirds of the family Troglodytidae, esp. Troglodytes troglodytes, of the Northern Hemisphere, having dark-brown plumage barred with black and a short, upright tail. Cf. house wren, marsh wren, rock wren, winter wren .
2. any of various similar, unrelated birds, esp. any of several Old World warblers.
[ bef. 900; ME wrenn ( e ), OE wrenna, obscurely akin to OHG wrendilo, ON rindill ]