New World goldfinch
- noun
- /nuː wɜrld ˈɡoʊldˌfɪnʧ/
- US
:
jilguero del Nuevo Mundo
- The New World goldfinch is easily recognized by its bright yellow summer plumage.
Examples
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Unlike the European species, the New World goldfinch molts into a duller color for the winter.
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I spotted a bright New World goldfinch in the garden.
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During migration, flocks of New World goldfinches can often be seen feeding in open fields.
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The New World goldfinch is known for its vibrant yellow feathers.
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The New World goldfinch is easily recognized by its bright yellow summer plumage.
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During migration, flocks of New World goldfinches can often be seen feeding in open fields.
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The New World goldfinch is known for its vibrant yellow feathers.
Synonyms
1
4.2
A small bird that sings with bright yellow and black feathers, some have a red face
A small North American finch whose male has bright yellow feathers in summer
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines a clear noun 'goldfinch' with a regional specifier 'New World' to mean a goldfinch from the Americas, so the overall meaning is partially derivable from the parts. However, understanding depends on knowing 'New World' as a conventional label for the Americas rather than a literal 'new' world; this lexicalized geographic term may not be predictable to all B1 learners, so the expression is not fully transparent.
Etymology
New World goldfinch comes from two clear images: New World was what early explorers called the 'Americas', and goldfinch names a small finch with bright 'gold' yellow feathers, so the name simply tells you it is a yellow finch from the Americas.