Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
goldfinch [gohld-finch] ExamplesWord Origin noun
- a European finch, Carduelis carduelis, having a crimson face and wings marked with yellow.
- any of certain related American finches of the genus Carduelis, as C. tristis, the male of which has yellow body plumage in the summer.
Origin of goldfinch before 1000; Middle English; Old English goldfinc. See gold, finch Examples from the Web for goldfinch Contemporary Examples of goldfinch
Best line: “No amount of straining for high-flown uplift can disguise the fact that The Goldfinch is a turkey.”
Hatchet Job of the Year 2014 Shortlist Announced
The Telegraph
January 19, 2014
Donna Tartt built her latest novel around a 350-year-old portrait of a goldfinch.
Face to Face With ‘The Goldfinch,’ the Painting from Donna Tartt’s Novel
Malcolm Jones
December 1, 2013
The Goldfinch proves Tartt to be a rara avis; her own species, willingly chained to her demanding muse.
Time Bandit: Donna Tartt’s “Goldfinch”
Liesl Schillinger
October 23, 2013
Historical Examples of goldfinch
We admire the brilliant plumage of the jay, cardinal and goldfinch.
Samuel Christian Schmucker
The Goldfinch is very anxious that the sparrows should not find out this barn.
Mrs. Frederick Locker
I have not yet heard what the Government gave me for my horse “Goldfinch.”
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie
George Brenton Laurie
The Government gave me £70 for “Goldfinch,” which was good, I think.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie
George Brenton Laurie
“I think that is a dreadful thing,” said the goldfinch, with a shudder.
L. Frank Baum
British Dictionary definitions for goldfinch goldfinch noun
- a common European finch, Carduelis carduelis, the adult of which has a red-and-white face and yellow-and-black wings
- any of several North American finches of the genus Spinus, esp the yellow-and-black species S. tristis
Word Origin and History for goldfinch n.