goldfinch

[gohld-finch]

noun

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.

Origin of goldfinch

before 1000; Middle English; Old English goldfinc. See gold, finch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for goldfinch

Contemporary Examples of goldfinch

Best line: “No amount of straining for high-flown uplift can disguise the fact that The Goldfinch is a turkey.”
Hatchet Job of the Year 2014 Shortlist Announced
The Telegraph
January 19, 2014
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 Novel
Malcolm Jones
December 1, 2013
The Goldfinch proves Tartt to be a rara avis; her own species, willingly chained to her demanding muse.
Time Bandit: Donna Tartt’s “Goldfinch”
Liesl Schillinger
October 23, 2013

Historical Examples of goldfinch

We admire the brilliant plumage of the jay, cardinal and goldfinch.
The Meaning of Evolution
Samuel Christian Schmucker
The Goldfinch is very anxious that the sparrows should not find out this barn.
What the Blackbird said
Mrs. Frederick Locker
I have not yet heard what the Government gave me for my horse "Goldfinch."
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie
George Brenton Laurie
The Government gave me £70 for "Goldfinch," which was good, I think.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie
George Brenton Laurie
"And here is Mr. Goldfinch and his charming bride," continued the policeman.
Policeman Bluejay
L. Frank Baum

British Dictionary definitions for goldfinch

goldfinch

noun

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

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 goldfinch

from Old English goldfinc; see gold + finch.