Linnet — Lin net (l[i^]n n[e^]t), n. [F. linot, linotte, from L. linum flax; or perh. shortened from AS. l[=i]netwige, fr. AS. l[=i]n flax; so called because it feeds on the seeds of flax and hemp. See {Linen}.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
linnet — small finch like songbird, 1530s, from M.Fr. linette grain of flax, dim. of lin flax, from L. linum linen (see LINEN (Cf. linen)). Flaxseed forms much of the bird s diet. O.E. name for the bird was linetwige, with second element perhaps meaning… … Etymology dictionary
linnet — ► NOUN ▪ a mainly brown and grey finch with a reddish breast and forehead. ORIGIN Old French linette, from lin flax (because the bird feeds on flaxseeds) … English terms dictionary
finch — ► NOUN ▪ a seed eating songbird of a large group including the chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet, etc. ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
Linnet — For the North American bird, see House Finch Linnet male Conservation status … Wikipedia
linnet — /lin it/, n. 1. a small Old World finch, Carduelis cannabina. 2. any of various related birds, as the house finch. [1520 30; earlier linet < MF (Walloon, Picard) linette (F linot, linotte), deriv. of lin flax (cf. LINE1; so named for its diet of… … Universalium
Finch — Taxobox name = True finches | image width = 250px image caption = Fringilla coelebs (chaffinch), male regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves ordo = Passeriformes subordo = Passeri familia = Fringillidae familia authority = Vigors,… … Wikipedia
linnet — noun Etymology: Middle French linette, from lin flax, from Latin linum; from its feeding on flax seeds Date: circa 1530 a common small brownish Old World finch (Acanthis cannabina) of which the male has red on the breast and crown during breeding … New Collegiate Dictionary
linnet — noun A small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae that derives its scientific name from its fondness for hemp, and its English name from its liking for seeds of flax, from which linen is made … Wiktionary
linnet — lin·net || lɪnɪt n. European finch … English contemporary dictionary
