linnet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small finch originally of the western United States and Mexico
    house finch; Carpodacus mexicanus.
  2. noun small Old World finch whose male has a red breast and forehead
    Carduelis cannabina; lintwhite.

WordNet

Lin"net noun
Etymology
F. linot, linotte, from L. linum flax; or perh. shortened from AS.linetwige, fr. AS. lin flax; -- so called because it feeds on the seeds of flax and hemp. See Linen.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the genera Linota, Acanthis, and allied genera, esp. the common European species (L. cannabina), which, in full summer plumage, is chestnut brown above, with the breast more or less crimson. The feathers of its head are grayish brown, tipped with crimson. Called also gray linnet, red linnet, rose linnet, brown linnet, lintie, lintwhite, gorse thatcher, linnet finch, and greater redpoll. The American redpoll linnet (Acanthis linaria) often has the crown and throat rosy. See Redpoll, and Twite.

Webster 1913