merle

¹

or merl

[ murl ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

1. the blackbird, Turdus merula.

merle

²

[ murl ]

noun

1. a bluish gray color mottled with black.

adjective

1. being the color merle.

Merle

³

[ murl ]

noun

1. a male or female given name.

merle

¹

/ mɜːl /

adjective

1. (of a dog, esp a collie) having a bluish-grey coat with speckles or streaks of black Often calledblue merle

merle

²

/ mɛrl; mɜːl /

noun

1. another name for the (European) blackbird

Word History and Origins

Origin of merle¹

1350–1400; Middle English merule < Middle French < Latin merulus, merula ousel, blackbird

Origin of merle²

First recorded in 1900–05; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of merle¹

C20: from dialect mirlet, mirly speckled

Origin of merle²

C15: via Old French from Latin merula

Example Sentences

Hemming has managed to breed a "merle" pattern into him, which animal experts say is a genetic defect that is linked to blindness and deafness in dogs.

From BBC

Mudis are also defined by its unique merle markings and "loyal" demeanor.

From Fox News

The female, two-month-old American XL bulldog is described as having blue merle colouring.

From BBC

The popularity of dogs with “merle” coats — a genetic quirk that results in a dappled appearance that looks particularly fetching in photos — seems to have soared in recent years.

From Seattle Times

When two dogs with the merle gene, which is what makes coats whiter, are bred together, their puppy has a 25 percent chance of being born a double merle.

From Washington Post