Main Entry:

finch

Pronunciation:

\ˈfinch\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English finc; akin to Old High German fincho finch and perhaps to Greek spiza chaffinch

Date:

before 12th century

: any of numerous passerine songbirds (families Fringillidae, Estrildidae, Emberizidae, and Cardinalidae) having a short stout usually conical bill adapted for crushing seeds