lintwhite

[ lint-hwahyt, -wahyt ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

1. the linnet, Carduelis cannabina.

lintwhite

/ ˈlɪntˌwaɪt /

noun

1. archaic.
   the linnet

Word History and Origins

Origin of lintwhite¹

before 900; lint (syncopated variant of linnet ) + white; replacing Middle English lynkwhytte, alteration (perhaps by association with link hill ( links ) and whit ) of Old English līnetwige linnet, literally, flax (or flax-field) trouble-maker, so called because the bird pecks out and eats flaxseed, equivalent to līnet- (< Medieval Latin līnētum flax-field) + -wige, feminine of wiga fighter

Word History and Origins

Origin of lintwhite¹

Old English līnetwige, probably from līn flax + -twige, perhaps related to Old High German zwigon to pluck