merlin

¹

[ mur-lin ]

noun

1. a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere.

Merlin

²

[ mur-lin ]

noun

1. Arthurian Legend. a venerable magician and seer.
2. a male given name.

Merlin

¹

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. (in Arthurian legend) a wizard and counsellor to King Arthur eternally imprisoned in a tree by a woman to whom he revealed his secret craft

merlin

²

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. a small falcon, Falco columbarius, that has a dark plumage with a black-barred tail: used in falconry See also pigeon hawk

Merlin

1. In the legends of King Arthur (see also Arthur ), a magician who acts as Arthur's principal adviser.

Word History and Origins

Origin of merlin¹

1350–1400; Middle English merlioun, merlone < Anglo-French merilun, Old French esmerillon, diminutive of esmeril < Germanic; akin to German Schmerl, Old Norse smyrill

Word History and Origins

Origin of merlin¹

C14: from Old French esmerillon, from esmeril, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

I would suggest some additional fine points to its content regarding the emphasis on the black merlin that keeps us company and provides moments of splendor and beauty for inquiring eyes.

From Seattle Times

In Seattle neighborhoods, they include merlins, smaller-than-a-crow falcons that first showed up here some 20 years ago.

From Seattle Times

If you’re lucky, you might spot a golden eagle, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon or a merlin.

From Washington Post

While officials have shot some merlins, they’re looking for nonlethal controls.

From Washington Post

Over the course of the trip we saw many species — ospreys, bald eagles, marsh hawks, great blue herons, ibises, egrets, Wilson’s plovers, a merlin, a wood stork, and numberless gulls and shore birds.

From Washington Post