Word Study
Goldfinch
CIDE DICTIONARY
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 . [1913 Webster]
" The name is also applied to other yellow finches, esp. to several additional American species of Spinus ." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Goldfinch, n. any of various bright-coloured songbirds of the genus Carduelis, esp. the Eurasian C. carduelis, with a yellow band across each wing.
Etymology
OE goldfinc (as GOLD, FINCH)
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