goldfinch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun American finch whose male has yellow body plumage in summer
    New World goldfinch; yellowbird; Spinus tristis.
  2. noun small European finch having a crimson face and yellow-and-black wings
    Carduelis carduelis.

WordNet

Gold"finch` noun
Etymology
AS. goldfinc. See Gold, and Finch.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) (a) A beautiful bright-colored European finch (Carduelis elegans). The name refers to the large patch of yellow on the wings. The front of the head and throat are bright red; the nape, with part of the wings and tail, black; -- called also goldspink, goldie, fool's coat, drawbird, draw-water, thistle finch, and sweet William. (b) The yellow-hammer. (c) A small American finch (Spinus tristis); the thistle bird. ✍ The name is also applied to other yellow finches, esp. to several additional American species of Spinus.

Webster 1913