linnet

[ lin-it ]

noun

1. a small Old World finch, Carduelis cannabina.
2. any of various related birds, as the house finch.

linnet

/ ˈlɪnɪt /

noun

1. a brownish Old World finch, Acanthis cannabina : the male has a red breast and forehead
2. Also calledhouse finch a similar and related North American bird, Carpodacus mexicanus

Word History and Origins

Origin of linnet¹

1520–30; earlier linet < Middle French (Walloon, Picard ) linette ( French linot, linotte ), derivative of lin flax ( line ¹; so named for its diet of flaxseeds); -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of linnet¹

C16: from Old French linotte, ultimately from Latin līnum flax (because the bird feeds on flaxseeds)

Example Sentences

"He knew the hardship of farmers in the 1920s and 30s but he knew it was also incredibly beautiful; there was an amazing wild profusion of yellowhammers, nightingales, linnets, that are a rare sight today."

From BBC

Blending poetry, criticism and science, 24 humorous essays defend the life of beings from platypuses and linnets to photosynthetic bacteria.

From New York Times

Tinkling and whistling parties of linnets dance over the bushes.

From The Guardian

A startled linnet fled from the whirling blades towards the rose-garden.

From Literature

Louder yet calmer than they, among the trees, sounded the yellowhammer, the linnet and greenfinch.

From Literature