lintwhite

American  

[lint-hwahyt, -wahyt] / ˈlɪntˌʰwaɪt, -ˌwaɪt /

noun

Chiefly Scot.

1. the linnet, Carduelis cannabina.

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lintwhite British  

/ ˈlɪntˌwaɪt /

noun

1. archaic the linnet

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Etymology

Origin of lintwhite

before 900; lint (syncopated variant of linnet ) + white; replacing Middle English lynkwhytte, alteration (perhaps by association with link hill ( links ) and whit ) of Old English līnetwige linnet, literally, flax (or flax-field) trouble-maker, so called because the bird pecks out and eats flaxseed, equivalent to līnet- (< Medieval Latin līnētum flax-field) + -wige, feminine of wiga fighter

Example Sentences

I’m up in the morning early To meet the dawn of day, And to the lintwhite’s piping The many’s the tune I play.

From Project Gutenberg

There’s Gala Water, Leader Haughs, Both lying right before us; And Dryburgh, where with chiming Tweed The lintwhites sing in chorus.

From Project Gutenberg

In vain to me the cowslips blaw, In vain to me the vi’lets spring; In vain to me, in glen or shaw, The mavis and the lintwhite sing.

From Project Gutenberg

A lintwhite was flying by them, and they gave chase.

From Project Gutenberg

Song I The lintwhite and the throstlecock Have voices sweet and clear; All in the bloomèd May.

From Project Gutenberg