BULLFINCH


Meaning of BULLFINCH in English

I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun

Etymology: probably so called from the thick neck

1. : a finch of the genus Pyrrhula ; especially : a European finch ( P. pyrrhula ) that is often kept as a cage bird and taught to whistle various airs, the male having rose-red underparts, blue-gray back, black cap, chin, tail, and wings, and white rump, the female being chiefly pinkish brown below, grayish brown above

2. : any of several other finches that resemble the European bullfinch (as a pyrrhuloxia or grosbeak)

II. noun

Etymology: from earlier bullfinch (fence)

: a hedge too high for a mounted hunter to leap

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.