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pinson

chaffinch

noun pan-SOHN Rare

Usage Note

Pinson is a small European songbird (Fringilla coelebs) well known for its cheerful song. The phrase gai comme un pinson ('as merry as a chaffinch') is a common French idiom meaning very cheerful. The plural is pinsons.

Examples

"Le pinson chante dans le jardin."

Natural Translation

The chaffinch sings in the garden.

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