Definition of "goldfinch" [gold•finch]

• Any of several small American finches of the genus Carduelis, especially C. tristis, of which the male has yellow plumage with a black forehead, wings, and tail. (noun)
• A small Eurasian finch (Carduelis carduelis) having brownish plumage with black wings boldly marked with yellow and a red patch across the face. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The weight of the bird bends it down even more, nearly touching the stones, but the goldfinch is a determined diner hanging rump up to get the tasty morsels."
• "The goldfinch is a symbol of Christ's future death on the cross."
• "There is, for instance, that charming letter about the escaped goldfinch, which is not spoiled for us even though we may take"