merlioun

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• merlin — noun Etymology: Middle English merlioun, from Anglo French merilun, alteration of esmerilun, augmentative of Old French esmeril, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smiril merlin Date: 14th century a small compact falcon (Falco… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• merlin — /merr lin/, n. a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere. Also called pigeon hawk. [1350 1400; ME merlioun, merlone < AF merilun, OF esmerillon, dim. of esmeril < Gmc; akin to G Schmerl, ON smyrill] * * * Magician and… …   Universalium

• merlin — mer•lin [[t]ˈmɜr lɪn[/t]] n. orn a small falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere, that feeds largely on birds taken in flight Also called pigeon hawk • Etymology: 1350–1400; ME merlioun, merlone < AF merilun, OF esmerillon, dim.… …   From formal English to slang

• merlin — /ˈmɜlən/ (say merluhn) noun a small falcon, Falco columbarius, especially the two subspecies known as the European merlin, F. c. aesalon, and the American merlin, F. c. columbarius; used in falconry. {Middle English merlioun, from Anglo French… …