merlin

¹ American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

1. a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere.

---

Merlin ² American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

1. Arthurian Legend. a venerable magician and seer.

2. a male given name.

---

Merlin ¹ British  

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. (in Arthurian legend) a wizard and counsellor to King Arthur eternally imprisoned in a tree by a woman to whom he revealed his secret craft

---

merlin ² British  

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. a small falcon, Falco columbarius, that has a dark plumage with a black-barred tail: used in falconry See also pigeon hawk

---

Merlin Cultural  

1. In the legends of King Arthur (see also Arthur), a magician who acts as Arthur's principal adviser.

---

Etymology

Origin of merlin

1350–1400; Middle English merlioun, merlone < Anglo-French merilun, Old French esmerillon, diminutive of esmeril < Germanic; akin to German Schmerl, Old Norse smyrill

Example Sentences

The estate is home to rare wildlife, including curlew, mountain bumblebees, lapwings, red squirrels, cuckoo and merlin, as well as Atlantic salmon and critically endangered eels, but the conservationists say nature could be richer still.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

I would suggest some additional fine points to its content regarding the emphasis on the black merlin that keeps us company and provides moments of splendor and beauty for inquiring eyes.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

Despite ice, they see mallards, buffleheads and other water birds; they’re delighted to spot a small falcon called a merlin, Canada geese and a great blue heron.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2018

That morning’s arrivals from another rehabber in Moorhead - a near-starving great horned owl and an injured merlin - occupied separate spaces in the barn.

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2016

“I am a merlin, Madam, an it please you.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White