hawfinch

noun

haw·​finch ˈhȯ-ˌfinch How to pronounce hawfinch (audio)
: an Old World finch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes of the family Fringillidae) with a large heavy bill and short thick neck and the male marked with black, white, and brown

Word History

Etymology

haw entry 1 + finch

First Known Use

circa 1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hawfinch was circa 1674

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Cite this Entry

“Hawfinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hawfinch. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.

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