linnet

American  

[lin-it] / ˈlɪn ɪt /

noun

1. a small Old World finch, Carduelis cannabina.

2. any of various related birds, as the house finch.

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linnet British  

/ ˈlɪnɪt /

noun

1. a brownish Old World finch, Acanthis cannabina : the male has a red breast and forehead

2. Also called: house finch.  a similar and related North American bird, Carpodacus mexicanus

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Etymology

Origin of linnet

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

Example Sentences

They provide habitat for red-listed farmland birds such as corn bunting, yellowhammer and linnet, as well as winter food for visiting species including fieldfares and redwings.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

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

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

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

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

The robin, thrush, oriole and linnet will come early and stay late.

From A Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed. by Bartlett, William Chauncey

And well may the lovely wee linnet be compared to a young and artless maiden, so good and innocent, so gentle and unobtrusive is the bird, and yet withal so blithe.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon