bullfinch

¹ American  

[bool-finch] / ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, often kept as a pet, the male of which has a black, white, and bluish-gray back and a rosy breast.

2. any of several related or similar birds.

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bullfinch ² American  

[bool-finch] / ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a hedge high enough to impede mounted hunters.

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bullfinch ¹ British  

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a common European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula : the male has a bright red throat and breast, black crown, wings, and tail, and a grey-and-white back

2. any of various similar finches

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bullfinch ² British  

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a high thick hedge too difficult for a horse and rider to jump

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Etymology

Origin of bullfinch¹

1560–70; bull ¹ (perhaps in sense “bull-necked”) + finch

Origin of bullfinch²

First recorded in 1825–35; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bullfinch

The bullfinch, first on the program, was obviously stagestruck.

From Time Magazine Archive

Shortly after Repeal Julius Kessler returned to Manhattan with his bull terrier Roxy and his bullfinch Dickie, there passed his 80th birthday.

From Time Magazine Archive

He wore a canary-coloured waistcoat and walked like a fastidious and graceful bullfinch.

From Mystery at Geneva An Improbable Tale of Singular Happenings by Macaulay, Rose, Dame

Yes, and the beautiful bullfinch and the gaudy goldfinch as well, to say nothing of the siskin and canary, so it cannot be plebeian.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

As they neared a ragged bullfinch hedge at the top of a long slope, he saw Sangatte put on speed and take it right in the middle, head down and forearm across his eyes.

From H.M.S. —— by Bower, John Graham