Finch \Finch\, n.; pl. Fishes. [AS. finc; akin to D. vink,
OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to
the family Fringillid[ae].
Note: The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch,
goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc.
Bramble finch. See Brambling.
Canary finch, the canary bird.
Copper finch. See Chaffinch.
Diamond finch. See under Diamond.
Finch falcon (Zo["o]l.), one of several very small East
Indian falcons of the genus Hierax.
To pull a finch, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting
person. [Obs.]
``Privily a finch eke could he pull.''
--Chaucer.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |