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

On top of its new cash infusion, Merlin announced a deal this week with aviation services contractor Dynamic Aviation to provide autonomous flight systems for 55 of its planes, and has already started doing test flights.

From Singularity Hub 

As reported by Fast Company, the only country in the world where there is such a certification is New Zealand—where Merlin has a wholly-owned subsidiary, not coincidentally.

From Singularity Hub 

The latest findings seem to confirm the 12th-century Arthurian legend about the wizard Merlin’s capture of a magical stone circle to resurrect it many miles away as a memorial to the dead.

From Washington Post

Typically, within an orbit or two of launching, the Falcon 9 rocket's Merlin vacuum engine will relight and nudge the second stage downward so that it harmlessly re-enters Earth's atmosphere into the Pacific Ocean.

From Ars Technica

His mother was in the dark living room, lying on the couch she and Shemar share as a bed, watching her favorite TV show, “Merlin.”

From ProPublica

She went over to his flat with Merlin, their dog, and she discovered the body.

From The Daily Beast

After all, he may look like a Montana Republican, talk like a Montana Republican but he sounds like someone from "Balmer, Merlin."

From The Daily Beast

Suddenly the Merlin-powered Mustang, as it was called, required far less fuel than any other fighter and outperformed them all.

From The Daily Beast

Merlin was deemed a Special Access Program requiring ultra-high clearances for officials in the know.

From The Daily Beast

After striking down the Rail the Merlin flew into a tree, about ten yards from which the man who shot it found the Rail dead.

From Project Gutenberg

Next, I noticed Merlin gliding away from me; and then I noticed that my lasso was gone!

From Project Gutenberg

Merlin sat here below his apple-tree and lamented Gwendolen; here spoke with Kentigern; here fell into his enchanted trance.

From Project Gutenberg

Merlin agreed and gave Arthur a cap on which he had cast a spell.

From Project Gutenberg

Letter of Merlin, ubi supra, 239: "Brief c'est merveille que ceste princesse puisse persister constamment en son sainct vouloir."

From Project Gutenberg