Word Study
grosbeak
CIDE DICTIONARY
grosbeak, n. [Gross + beak: cf. F. gros-bec.].
One of various species of finches having a large, stout beak. The common European grosbeak or hawfinch is Coccothraustes vulgaris . [1913 Webster]
" Among the best known American species are the rose-breasted (Habia Ludoviciana ); the blue (Guiraca cœrulea ); the pine (Pinicola enucleator ); and the evening grosbeak. See Hawfinch , and Cardinal grosbeak , Evening grosbeak , under Cardinal and Evening ."
OXFORD DICTIONARY
grosbeak, n. any of various finches of the families Cardinalidae and Fringillidae, having stout conical bills and usu. brightly coloured plumage.
Etymology
F grosbec (as GROSS)
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