Linnet definition

lĭnĭt

Either of two small, variously colored finches, an Old World species (Acanthis cannabina) or a New World species (Carpodacus mexicanus)

noun

A small passerine bird, Carduelis cannabina in the finch family Fringillidae, native to Europe, western Asia, and north Africa.

noun

A female given name derived from the linnet bird. Occasionally recorded since the 19th century.

pronoun

A small finch (Carduelis cannabina) of Eurasia and Africa with brownish plumage, the male of which has red on the head and breast.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

linnet

Plural:

linnets

Obsolete French linette from Old French from lin flax (from its feeding on flax seed) from Latin līnum lī̆no- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French linette, from lin (“flax"), from the bird's fondness for the seeds of flax, the source of linen.

From Wiktionary