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• merlin
  merlin

  noun

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

  noun

  a venerable magician and seer.

merlin

¹ American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

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

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Merlin ² American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

1. Arthurian Legend. a venerable magician and seer.

2. a male given name.

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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

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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

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Merlin Cultural  

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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

merlin Merlin

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

And those are the trees most favored by the small population of raptors, including the merlin.

From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024

In a forest near Lake Michigan, two scientists attached a backpack tracking device to a merlin they’d lured into a net.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 12, 2022

“My ordeal, Mam,” said the friendly merlin, “was to hang by my jesses during the third watch.”

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

Jackson, born in New York, got his start in music singing gospel before moving to California to perform with the ’70s funk band Mystic Merlin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Auchan and Leroy Merlin owner Adeo Group didn’t respond to requests for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Merlin backtracked on the proposal days later following an online petition against it signed by more than 25,000, saying they had listened to the feedback and would pause the changes while considering other options.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Merlin Cinemas Limited, Redruth, failed to pay £50,198.75 to 181 workers.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

“That would be extremely presumptuous of you,” said Merlin, “and you would be conquered, and you would suffer for it.”

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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