Any one of several species of fringilline birds of the
   genera Linota, Acanthis, and allied genera, esp. the common European
   species (L. cannabina), which, in full summer plumage, is chestnut
   brown above, with the breast more or less crimson. The feathers of its
   head are grayish brown, tipped with crimson. Called also gray linnet,
   red linnet, rose linnet, brown linnet, lintie, lintwhite, gorse
   thatcher, linnet finch, and greater redpoll. The American redpoll
   linnet (Acanthis linaria) often has the crown and throat rosy. See
   Redpoll, and Twite.