The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Goldfinch \Gold"finch`\, n. [AS. goldfinc. See Gold, and
   Finch.] (Zool.)
   (a) A beautiful bright-colored European finch (Carduelis
       elegans). The name refers to the large patch of yellow
       on the wings. The front of the head and throat are bright
       red; the nape, with part of the wings and tail, black; --
       called also goldspink, goldie, fool's coat,
       drawbird, draw-water, thistle finch, and sweet
       William.
   (b) The yellow-hammer.
   (c) A small American finch (Spinus tristis); the thistle
       bird.
       [1913 Webster]

   Note: The name is also applied to other yellow finches, esp.
         to several additional American species of Spinus.
         [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Thistle \This"tle\, n. [OE. thistil, AS. [thorn]istel; akin to
   D. & G. distel, OHG. distila, distil, Icel. [thorn]istill,
   Sw. tistel, Dan. tidsel; of uncertain origin.] (Bot.)
   Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those
   of the genera Cnicus, Craduus, and Onopordon. The name
   is often also applied to other prickly plants.
   [1913 Webster]

   Blessed thistle, Carduus benedictus, so named because it
      was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of
      venomous creatures.

   Bull thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, the common large
      thistle of neglected pastures.

   Canada thistle, Cnicus arvensis, a native of Europe, but
      introduced into the United States from Canada.

   Cotton thistle, Onopordon Acanthium.

   Fuller's thistle, the teasel.

   Globe thistle, Melon thistle, etc. See under Globe,
      Melon, etc.

   Pine thistle, Atractylis gummifera, a native of the
      Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the
      involucre.

   Scotch thistle, either the cotton thistle, or the musk
      thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national
      emblems of Scotland.

   Sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus.

   Spear thistle. Same as Bull thistle.

   Star thistle, a species of Centaurea. See Centaurea.

   Torch thistle, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus
      Cereus. See Cereus.

   Yellow thistle, Cincus horridulus.
      [1913 Webster]

   Thistle bird (Zool.), the American goldfinch, or
      yellow-bird (Spinus tristis); -- so called on account of
      its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under
      Goldfinch.

   Thistle butterfly (Zool.), a handsomely colored American
      butterfly (Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon
      thistles; -- called also painted lady.

   Thistle cock (Zool.), the corn bunting (Emberiza
      militaria). [Prov. Eng.]

   Thistle crown, a gold coin of England of the reign of James
      I., worth four shillings.

   Thistle finch (Zool.), the goldfinch; -- so called from its
      fondness for thistle seeds. [Prov. Eng.]

   Thistle funnel, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring
      mouth.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Spinus tristis
    n 1: American finch whose male has yellow body plumage in summer
         [syn: New World goldfinch, goldfinch, yellowbird,
         Spinus tristis]