/finch/ , n.
1. any of numerous small passerine birds of the family Fringillidae, including the buntings, sparrows, crossbills, purple finches, and grosbeaks, most of which have a short, conical bill adapted for eating seeds.
2. any of various nonfringilline birds, esp. the weaverbirds of the family Ploceidae and the tropical members of the subfamily Emberizinae.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE finc; c. D vink, G Fink; akin to Gk spíngos finch ]