chaffinch

English

Etymology

From Middle English chaffynch, chaffynche, caffynche, equivalent to chaff +‎ finch.[1] However, more recently the first element has been argued to derive from the same root as Old English cæfed (ornamented) and cæfing (hair-ornament), thus meaning "ornamented finch, colourful finch".[2]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃæfɪnt͡ʃ/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

chaffinch (plural chaffinches)

  1. A small passerine bird, Fringilla coelebs, of the finch family, found throughout Europe and eastward to Iran and eastern Mediterranean coastlands.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

References

  1. ^ "chaffinch, n." OED Online, Oxford University Press, June 2022, www.oed.com/view/Entry/30176. Accessed 1 September 2022.
  2. ^ Carole Hough, 'Cheveley and Chaff Hall: A Reconsideration of OE ceaf in Place-Names', Nottingham Medieval Studies, 43 (1999), 21–32; DOI: 10.1484/j.nms.3.291.