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

Shortly after Repeal Julius Kessler returned to Manhattan with his bull terrier Roxy and his bullfinch Dickie, there passed his 80th birthday.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bullfinch, first on the program, was obviously stagestruck.

From Time Magazine Archive

—No, said the bullfinch, he's not an artist; with his silver breeches, he's more of a prince.

From Letters from my Windmill by Daudet, Alphonse

—He's more of a prince, said the bullfinch.

From Letters from my Windmill by Daudet, Alphonse

No bird is so fond of sitting on its owner's shoulder as the bullfinch can be.

From What Shall We Do Now?: Five Hundred Games and Pastimes by Fisher, Dorothy Canfield