bullfinch

¹

[ bool-finch ]

noun

1. a European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, often kept as a pet, the male of which has a black, white, and bluish-gray back and a rosy breast.
2. any of several related or similar birds.

bullfinch

²

[ bool-finch ]

noun

1. a hedge high enough to impede mounted hunters.

bullfinch

¹

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a high thick hedge too difficult for a horse and rider to jump

bullfinch

²

/ ˈbʊlˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a common European finch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula : the male has a bright red throat and breast, black crown, wings, and tail, and a grey-and-white back
2. any of various similar finches

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullfinch¹

1560–70; bull ¹ (perhaps in sense “bull-necked”) + finch

Origin of bullfinch²

First recorded in 1825–35; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullfinch¹

C19: perhaps changed from the phrase bull fence

Origin of bullfinch²

C14: see bull ¹, finch ; probably so called from its stocky shape and thick neck

Example Sentences

Her bedroom menagerie included an orphaned crow, a badger cub, a wounded jackdaw and a whole nest of baby bullfinches.

From New York Times

In Barbados, for example — where Dr. Lefebvre maintains a field station — tourists often see native bullfinches eating remains of food on tables, including sugar from bowls.

From New York Times

The St. Kitts bullfinch also fell victim to hurricanes in the late 19th century, Dr. Wunderle said.

From New York Times

Today, “birds” alone lists woodpeckers, crossbills, jackdaws, crows, robins, thrushes, blue tits and great tits, goldfinches, bullfinches, ospreys, lapwings, oystercatchers, kestrels, a pheasant and several varieties of owl.

From The Guardian

I can just hear him shouting to his wife and daughters that “we have a bellowing of bullfinches on the bird feeder, quick!”

From New York Times