bullfinch

¹ American  

[bool-finch] / ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, often kept as a pet, the male of which has a black, white, and bluish-gray back and a rosy breast.

2. any of several related or similar birds.

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bullfinch ² American  

[bool-finch] / ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a hedge high enough to impede mounted hunters.

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bullfinch ¹ British  

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a common European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula : the male has a bright red throat and breast, black crown, wings, and tail, and a grey-and-white back

2. any of various similar finches

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bullfinch ² British  

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a high thick hedge too difficult for a horse and rider to jump

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Etymology

Origin of bullfinch¹

1560–70; bull ¹ (perhaps in sense “bull-necked”) + finch

Origin of bullfinch²

First recorded in 1825–35; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Mr Morton led Operation Bullfinch, then the biggest criminal investigation in Oxford's history, which resulted in the convictions of 21 men for offences spanning the late 1990s to the late 2000s.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

A poll conducted by the conservative advocacy group Freedom Works in connection with the Bullfinch Group found that education, crime and safety, and the economy ranked as the top issues for Hispanic voters.

From Washington Times • Oct. 28, 2021

Abigail and her children “went ten miles from their home in Braintree to Boston, to be inoculated by Dr. Thomas Bullfinch, an expert at the procedure,” Foster wrote.

From Washington Post • Dec. 12, 2020

A court order had been in place during the trial banning the media from reporting that this was an investigation by the Operation Bullfinch officers.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2014

Judge Bullfinch tried to make a fine speech, but the birds were too excited to listen to his words, and he soon found himself without an audience.

From Policeman Bluejay by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)