Serin: meaning, definitions and examples

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serin

 

[ ˈsɛrɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bird species

A serin is a small finch of the genus Serinus, often characterized by its vibrant yellow plumage. These birds are commonly found in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and they typically inhabit open grasslands and gardens.

Synonyms

canary, finch, sparrow

Examples of usage

  • The serin sang sweetly in the morning light.
  • You can spot a serin flitting about in the meadows.
  • The bright yellow serin brightened up the garden.
  • We were excited to see a serin on our birdwatching trip.

Word origin

The word 'serin' comes from the Latin 'serinus', which refers specifically to a small finch. This is derived from 'serere', meaning 'to sow,' a reference to the bird's diet of seeds, especially those of plants that are sown in fields. The term has been used in ornithology since the 19th century when interest in birdwatching and classification grew significantly. Over time, 'serin' has broadened in common usage to encapsulate various members of the finch family. They were particularly popular in aviculture because of their attractive song and colors, leading to further nomenclature development around the species within the Serinus genus.