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martin

1 American  
[mahr-tn] / ˈmɑr tn /

noun

  1. any of several swallows having a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings.


Martin 2 American  
[mahr-tn] / ˈmɑr tn /

noun

  1. Archer John Porter 1910–2002, English biochemist: Nobel Prize in chemistry 1952.

  2. Frank, 1890–1974, Swiss composer.

  3. Glenn Luther, 1886–1955, U.S. airplane designer and manufacturer.

  4. Homer Dodge, 1836–97, U.S. painter.

  5. Joseph W(illiam) Jr., 1884–1968, U.S. political leader and publisher: Speaker of the House 1947–49, 1953–55.

  6. Mary, 1913–90, U.S. actress and musical comedy star.

  7. Saint, a.d. 316?–397, French prelate: bishop of Tours 370?–397.

  8. a male given name: from the name of the Roman god Mars.


Martin 1 British  
/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

  1. Archer John Porter. 1910–2002, British biochemist; Nobel prize for chemistry 1952 (with Richard Synge; 1914–94) for developing paper chromatography (1944). He subsequently developed gas chromatography (1953)

  2. Chris(topher Anthony John) . born 1977, British rock musician, lead singer of Coldplay; married to the US actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

  3. Frank. 1890–1974, Swiss composer. He used a modified form of the twelve-note technique in some of his works, which include Petite Symphonie Concertante (1946) and the oratorio Golgotha (1949)

  4. Sir George ( Henry ). born 1926, British record producer and arranger, noted for his work with the Beatles

  5. John. 1789–1854, British painter, noted for his visionary landscapes and large-scale works with biblical subjects

  6. Michael ( John ). Baron. born 1945, Scottish Labour politician; speaker of the House of Commons (2000–09)

  7. Paul ( Edgar Philippe ). born 1938, Canadian Liberal politician; prime minister of Canada (2003–06)

  8. Saint. called Saint Martin of Tours. ?316–?397 ad , bishop of Tours (?371–?397); a patron saint of France. He furthered monasticism in Gaul. Feast day: Nov 11 or 12

  9. Steve ( n ). born 1945, US film actor and comedian; his films include The Jerk (1979), Roxanne (1987), and Bowfinger ) (1999)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

martin 2 British  
/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

  1. any of various swallows of the genera Progne, Delichon, Riparia, etc, having a square or slightly forked tail See also house martin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of martin

1425–75; late Middle English ( Scots ) martoune; presumably generic use of the personal name (< French < Late Latin Martīnus ), traditionally by association with March ( Latin Mārtius ), when the bird arrives, and Martinmas, when it leaves; though Middle English, Old French martinet has been applied to a variety of birds; compare French martin-pêcheur kingfisher

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In “Homecomings,” Heaney describes returning home, where he watches a sand martin gambol along a riverbank.

From Washington Post • Jan. 27, 2022

James told that Raven is the one who did not want to be born on martin skins and thus into luxury.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2019

Before he even parked, Prum was calling out the names of birds he glimpsed or heard through the car window: osprey, purple martin, red-winged blackbird.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2019

I was skeptical about Tipuric prior to this game but yesterday he was fantastic, reminded me of martin Williams in his pomp.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2013

"And listening to the bluebirds when the maples were red; and to the martin birds when the apple-trees were in bloom; and to the red robins, and all?"

From Harper's Round Table, October 29, 1895 by Various