siskin

[sis-kin]

noun

any of several small, cardueline finches, especially Carduelis spinus, of Europe.

Nearby words

Origin of siskin

1555–65; < Middle Dutch sijsken, equivalent to sijs (< Middle Low German czītze < Slavic; compare Lusatian cyž, Czech číž, Polish czyż siskin, ultimately of imitative orig.) + -ken -kin

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

Examples from the Web for siskin

A longtime Murdoch loyalist and former News Corp. general counsel, Siskin has been a director at the company for 20 years.
News Corp.’s Motley Board|Nick Summers, R.M. Schneiderman|July 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As previously remarked, the favourite summer home of the Siskin is the pine-woods of Scotland.
Among the Birds in Northern Shires|Charles Dixon
In its plumage this bird resembles the linnet; but in its actions and shape it more resembles the siskin.
The Natural History of Cage Birds|J. M. Bechstein
This bird will pair with the canary, siskin, linnet, or goldfinch.
The Natural History of Cage Birds|J. M. Bechstein

Aberdevine, ab-ėr-de-vīn′, n. a bird-fancier's name for the siskin.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
But for the yellow plumage and larger size of the Siskin, they might well be mistaken one for the other.
British Birds in their Haunts|Rev. C. A. Johns

British Dictionary definitions for siskin

siskin

noun

a yellow-and-black Eurasian finch, Carduelis spinus

pine siskin a North American finch, Spinus pinus, having a streaked yellowish-brown plumage

Word Origin for siskin

C16: from Middle Dutch sīseken, from Middle Low German sīsek; related to Czech čižek, Russian chizh

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