goldfinch
[gohld-finch]
- a European finch, Carduelis carduelis, having a crimson face and wings marked with yellow.
- any of certain related American finches of the genus Carduelis, as C. tristis, the male of which has yellow body plumage in the summer.
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Origin of goldfinch
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for goldfinch
Contemporary Examples
Best line: “No amount of straining for high-flown uplift can disguise the fact that The Goldfinch is a turkey.”
Donna Tartt built her latest novel around a 350-year-old portrait of a goldfinch.
Face to Face With ‘The Goldfinch,’ the Painting from Donna Tartt’s NovelMalcolm Jones
December 1, 2013
The Goldfinch proves Tartt to be a rara avis; her own species, willingly chained to her demanding muse.
Historical Examples
We admire the brilliant plumage of the jay, cardinal and goldfinch.
The Meaning of EvolutionSamuel Christian Schmucker
The Goldfinch is very anxious that the sparrows should not find out this barn.
What the Blackbird saidMrs. Frederick Locker
I have not yet heard what the Government gave me for my horse "Goldfinch."
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton LaurieGeorge Brenton Laurie
The Government gave me £70 for "Goldfinch," which was good, I think.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton LaurieGeorge Brenton Laurie
"I think that is a dreadful thing," said the goldfinch, with a shudder.
Policeman BluejayL. Frank Baum
goldfinch
- a common European finch, Carduelis carduelis, the adult of which has a red-and-white face and yellow-and-black wings
- any of several North American finches of the genus Spinus, esp the yellow-and-black species S. tristis
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for goldfinch
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper