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

Merlin

²

/ 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

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

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