from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Finch \Finch\ (f[i^]nch), n.; pl. {Finches} (f[i^]nch"[e^]z).
[AS. finc; akin to D. vink, OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc
a finch; also E. spink.] (Zool.)
A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to
the family {Fringillid[ae]}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch,
goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc.
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{Bramble finch}. See {Brambling}.
{Canary finch}, the canary bird.
{Copper finch}. See {Chaffinch}.
{Diamond finch}. See under {Diamond}.
{Finch falcon} (Zool.), one of several very small East Indian
falcons of the genus {Hierax}.
{To pull a finch}, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting
person. [Obs.] "Privily a finch eke could he pull."
--Chaucer.
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