The Collaborative International Dictionary
Finch \Finch\ (f[i^]nch), n.; pl. Finches (f[i^]nch"[e^]z). [AS. finc; akin to D. vink, OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.] (Zo["o]l.) A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to the family Fringillid[ae].
Note: The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch, goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc.
Bramble finch. See Brambling.
Canary finch, the canary bird.
Copper finch. See Chaffinch.
Diamond finch. See under Diamond.
Finch falcon (Zo["o]l.), one of several very small East Indian falcons of the genus Hierax.
To pull a finch, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting
person. [Obs.] ``Privily a finch eke could he pull.''
--Chaucer.