finch
[finch]
- any of numerous small passerine birds of the family Fringillidae, including the buntings, sparrows, crossbills, purple finches, and grosbeaks, most of which have a short, conical bill adapted for eating seeds.
- any of various nonfringilline birds, especially the weaverbirds of the family Ploceidae and the tropical members of the subfamily Emberizinae.
Show More
Origin of finch
before 900; Middle English; Old English finc; cognate with Dutch vink, German Fink; akin to Greek spíngos finch
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for finch
Contemporary Examples
His observations of the many varieties of Finch birds in the Galapagos Island led him to solidify his theory of natural selection.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. ConsumerismDina Goldstein
November 8, 2014
It takes a certain amount of training to set up and use, Finch said.
Historical Examples
"You must never forget what the finch calls," continued the grandmother.
What Sami Sings with the BirdsJohanna Spyri
Doubtful; but perhaps for syngies, an old name for the finch.
Bowman, you will see that Finch is comfortable, and send her to me.
The Christmas BooksWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
It was a splendid thought of yours to turn in here for a feed, Captain Finch.
A Sheaf of CornMary E. Mann
Theodora could not recover from the thrill of pain so as to speak, and Mrs. Finch rattled on.
HeartseaseCharlotte M. Yonge
finch
- any songbird of the family Fringillidae, having a short stout bill for feeding on seeds and, in most species, a bright plumage in the male. Common examples are the goldfinch, bullfinch, chaffinch, siskin, and canary
- any of various similar or related birds
Show More
Word Origin
Old English finc; related to Old High German finko, Middle Dutch vinker, Greek spingos
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for finch
n.
Old English finc, from Proto-Germanic *finkiz, *finkjon (cf. Middle Low German and Middle Dutch vinke, Dutch vink, Old High German finco, German Fink), perhaps imitative of the bird's note (cf. Breton pint "chaffinch," Russian penka "wren").
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper