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

/ mɛrl, mɜːl /

noun

1. another name for the (European) blackbird

merle

²

/ mɜːl /

adjective

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

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

C15: via Old French from Latin merula

Origin of merle²

C20: from dialect mirlet, mirly speckled

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.

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

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

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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.

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Opal, like many other dogs born with what’s called double merle genes, is able to use her other senses, such as smell and touch, to make up for what she can’t see or hear.

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