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Glite Dictionary
Spinus tristis

Spinus tristis

9.9
A small North American finch whose male has bright yellow feathers in summer
  • noun
  • /ˈspɪnəs ˈtrɪstɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : canario americano
  • The male Spinus tristis is easily recognized by its bright yellow plumage during summer.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the migration patterns of Spinus tristis across North America.

  • Bird watchers spotted several Spinus tristis in the grassy meadow.

  • The Spinus tristis is often seen in gardens.

  • Did you spot a Spinus tristis at the park?

  • The male Spinus tristis is easily recognized by its bright yellow plumage during summer.

  • Bird watchers spotted several Spinus tristis in the grassy meadow.

  • Researchers studied the migration patterns of Spinus tristis across North America.

Synonyms

goldfinch
vsSpinus tristis
1 4.2

A small bird that sings with bright yellow and black feathers, some have a red face

is the scientific Latin name referring only to the North American breeding male
New World goldfinch
vsSpinus tristis
  • US
7.9

A small American bird with bright yellow summer feathers

is the scientific Latin name for that North American species

Surface Forms

Spinus tristis singular
Spinus tristises plural

Morphology

Spinus + tristis

Although 'Spinus' identifies a genus of small finches (so signals that this is a bird), the species epithet 'tristis' is Latin and does not transparently yield the common name 'American goldfinch' even if one knew its literal sense. Scientific binomials are conventional taxonomic labels rather than compositional English phrases, so a B1 learner knowing the constituents would not be able to derive the MWE's species identity.

Etymology

Spinus tristis is a Latin name made of two parts: Spinus means a small finch and tristis means 'sad', maybe because the bird looks dull in winter after losing its bright yellow feathers. That's why this name was used for the American goldfinch.