finch

[finch]

noun

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.

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 of finch

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. Consumerism
Dina Goldstein
November 8, 2014
It takes a certain amount of training to set up and use, Finch said.
The Missile That Likely Shot Down MH17
Chris Allbritton, Dave Majumdar
July 17, 2014

Historical Examples of finch

"You must never forget what the finch calls," continued the grandmother.
What Sami Sings with the Birds
Johanna Spyri
Doubtful; but perhaps for syngies, an old name for the finch.
Notes and Queries, Number 189, June 11, 1853
Various
Bowman, you will see that Finch is comfortable, and send her to me.
The Christmas Books
William Makepeace Thackeray
It was a splendid thought of yours to turn in here for a feed, Captain Finch.
A Sheaf of Corn
Mary E. Mann
Theodora could not recover from the thrill of pain so as to speak, and Mrs. Finch rattled on.
Heartsease
Charlotte M. Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for finch

finch

noun

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

Related formsRelated adjective: fringilline

Word Origin for finch

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

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").