(n) in some classifications considered the type genus of a subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae: goldfinches; siskins; redpolls; linnets, Syn. genus Carduelis
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. the type genus of a subfamily Carduelinae of the Fringillidae, used in some classifications. It includes the goldfinches (such as the American goldfinch, Cardulis tristis, and the European goldfinch, Cardueliscarduelis); siskins; redpolls; and linnets, as well as the common northern cardinal (Carduelis cardinalis, also called the cardinal bird). Syn. -- genus Carduelis. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]