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.
Origin of finch
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. ConsumerismDina Goldstein
November 8, 2014
It takes a certain amount of training to set up and use, Finch said.
Historical Examples of finch
"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
Word Origin for finch
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").