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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

/ mɜːl /

adjective

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

merle

2

/ mɛrl; mɜːl /

noun

  1. another name for the (European) blackbird
“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
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of merle1

C20: from dialect mirlet, mirly speckled

Origin of merle2

C15: via Old French from Latin merula
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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.

From BBC

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

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

From BBC

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.

When two dogs with the merle gene, which is what makes coats whiter, are bred together, their puppy has a 25 percent chance of being born a double merle.

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