bullfinch

See also: bull-finch

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From bull +‎ finch.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbʊlˌfɪnt͡ʃ/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Noun

bullfinch (plural bullfinches)

  1. The Eurasian bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula).
  2. Any of various other Old World finches in the genus Pyrrhula.
  3. (UK, archaic, hunting, slang) A large, thick quickset hedge.
    • 1900, H. B. Yerburgh, Leaves from a hunting diary in Essex, page 180:
      Young Hurrell turned them on the right; the officer on the polo pony and Mr. Westall, between them, dissected a "bullfinch" on the left, but the ditch and the briars took toll of the former.
  4. An obstacle for a horse, consisting of a solid fence with brush above it, through which the horse should jump.

Synonyms

Translations

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