| 释义 |
finch
\ˈfinch\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English finc; akin to Old High German fincho finch, Middle Dutch vinke finch, Swedish spink small bird, sparrow, Greek spingos, spiza, spinos chaffinch, spizein to chirp, Sanskrit phingaka drongo
1. : a bird of the family Fringillidae including the sparrows, grosbeaks, crossbills, goldfinches, linnets, buntings, and related birds, being of small or moderate size and rather stout build, having generally a short stout conical bill adapted for crushing seeds, being often very beneficial to agriculture by destroying the seeds of weeds, and being sometimes fine singers (as the canary) — used often in combination
< bullfinch >
< chaffinch >
< goldfinch >
— see bill illustration
2. : any of various African and Australian weaverbirds (family Ploceidae) — see fire finch, gouldian finch |