linnet

lin·net  (lnt)

n.

1. A small Old World finch (Carduelis cannabina) having brownish plumage.

2. A similar bird (Carpodacus mexicanus) of Mexico and the western United States. Also called house finch.

---

[Obsolete French linette, from Old French, from lin, flax (from its feeding on flax seed), from Latin lnum; see lno- in Indo-European roots.]

---

linnet

Noun

a brownish finch: the male has a red breast and forehead [Old French linotte, from Latin līnum flax (because the bird feeds on flaxseeds)]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	linnet - small finch originally of the western United States and Mexico Carpodacus mexicanus, house finch finch - any of numerous small songbirds with short stout bills adapted for crushing seeds Carpodacus, genus Carpodacus - house finches and purple finches
	2.	linnet - small Old World finch whose male has a red breast and forehead Carduelis cannabina, lintwhite finch - any of numerous small songbirds with short stout bills adapted for crushing seeds Carduelis, genus Carduelis - in some classifications considered the type genus of a subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae: goldfinches; siskins; redpolls; linnets