merle

or merl

[ murl ]

/ mɜrl /

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noun Chiefly Scot.

the blackbird, Turdus merula.

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Origin of merle

1350–1400; Middle English merule<Middle French <Latin merulus, merula ousel, blackbird

Other definitions for merle (2 of 3)

merle²

[ murl ]

/ mɜrl /

noun

a bluish gray color mottled with black.

adjective

being the color merle.

Origin of merle

First recorded in 1900–05; origin uncertain

Other definitions for merle (3 of 3)

Merle

[ murl ]

/ mɜrl /

noun

a male or female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use merle in a sentence

Merl Reagle, otherwise known as “King of the Crossword,” knows exactly how you feel.
The Crossword Puzzle Turns 100: The ‘King of Crossword’ on Its Strange History|Kevin Fallon|December 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A galling sense of inferiority to Merl poisoned every minute of his life.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
"Nothing of the kind, Captain," said Merl, smiling at the innocence of the question.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
Such was the precise feeling entertained by Martin towards Merl.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever

As for Merl, his well-schooled faculties never were ruffled nor excited.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
Merl bowed and smirked and writhed as his Lordship, with a bland smile and a very slight bow, acknowledged the presentation.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for merle (1 of 2)

merle¹

merl

/ (mɜːl, Scottish mɛrl) /

noun

Scot another name for the (European) blackbird

Word Origin for merle

C15: via Old French from Latin merula

British Dictionary definitions for merle (2 of 2)

merle²

/ (mɜːl) /

adjective

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

Word Origin for merle

C20: from dialect mirlet, mirly speckled

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