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• merle
  merle

  noun

  the blackbird, Turdus merula.
• Merle
  Merle

  noun

  a male or female given name.

merle

¹ American  

[murl] / mɜrl /

Or merl

noun

Chiefly Scot.

1. the blackbird, Turdus merula.

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merle ² American  

[murl] / mɜrl /

noun

1. a bluish gray color mottled with black.

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adjective

1. being the color merle.

Merle ³ American  

[murl] / mɜrl /

noun

1. a male or female given name.

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merle ¹ British  

/ mɛrl, mɜːl /

noun

1. another name for the (European) blackbird

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merle ² British  

/ mɜːl /

adjective

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

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

merle Merle

"Like, pink comes from other breeds. Chocolate comes from other breeds, merle comes from other breeds. You can turn them pink."

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2023

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

From Fox News ● Jan. 4, 2022

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

From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2021

While most professional breeders know not to breed dogs that may produce a double merle dog, inexperienced breeders may not, Fuller said.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 30, 2019

“My certy! but ’twas pretty to see yon merle, though!” he murmured, having restored the kettle to sanity.

From Pemrose Lorry, Camp Fire Girl by Hornibrook, Isabel Katherine

One of her regular students, Merle Goorian, was the wife of a public television producer, Len Goorian, and pitched him the idea for a show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

The archival footage is plentiful and a treat: Country legends Merle Travis and Grandpa Jones are seen in their virtual infancy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025

England's super-subs made a big impact at Euro 2022 - Kelly scored the winner in the final against Germany, after Ella Toone had lobbed goalkeeper Merle Frohms in the same match.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2025

Maehara was riding his electric bicycle on Merle Drive in Montebello, not far from his home, around 10 p.m. on April 29 when headlights from a car approaching him from behind illuminated his path.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2025

“That made me about half-sick, Grandma remarked. At this point we could have used an intermission. But Mrs. Merle Stubbs of the Ladies’ Committee mounted the stage, carrying a portable Victrola.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck