linnet
[lin-it]
- a small Old World finch, Carduelis cannabina.
- any of various related birds, as the house finch.
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Origin of linnet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for linnet
Historical Examples
We can't cage our linnet, Rachel, and perhaps we shouldn't try.
The ChristianHall Caine
She turned for confirmation to Linnet and Matthew Henry, and they both nodded.
Major VigoureuxA. T. Quiller-Couch
"I shouldn't put it off too long, if I were you," advised Linnet, candidly.
Major VigoureuxA. T. Quiller-Couch
"You wait till you get there before you boast," advised Linnet.
Major VigoureuxA. T. Quiller-Couch
"Linnet's improving," put in Matthew Henry, with fine sarcasm.
Major VigoureuxA. T. Quiller-Couch
linnet
- a brownish Old World finch, Acanthis cannabina : the male has a red breast and forehead
- Also called: house finch a similar and related North American bird, Carpodacus mexicanus
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Word Origin
C16: from Old French linotte, ultimately from Latin līnum flax (because the bird feeds on flaxseeds)
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 linnet
n.
small finch-like songbird, 1530s, from Middle French linette "grain of flax," diminutive of lin "flax," from Latin linum "linen" (see linen). Flaxseed forms much of the bird's diet. Old English name for the bird was linetwige, with second element perhaps meaning "pluck." This yielded Middle English and dialectal lintwhite.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper